Stan Wawrinka, the 2016 US Open champion, does not qualify for the main draw and does not receive a wildcard for this year’s tournament, prompting criticism from commentators and coverage across outlets.
The Athletic and Yahoo Sports both note that Wawrinka is in what is widely described as the final season of his professional career, at age 41. Because of that, some observers frame the decision as a missed opportunity for a “New York goodbye” at his last US Open appearance. The reports describe Wawrinka as not making the cut and lacking a wildcard, meaning he is not included in the tournament’s main field.
While the coverage centers on the perceived snub and the disappointment it brings to fans, the outlets also align on the core facts: Wawrinka is absent from the main draw due to wildcard and qualification outcomes. The articles differ mainly in tone and emphasis, with Yahoo focusing on backlash and the “totally fit” argument and The Athletic emphasizing the broader debate around US Open wildcard practices.
