Stan Wawrinka looking forward to last US Open appearance ahead of first round game

[p]The 2016 U.S. Open champion, now ranked 127th, ‌had initially been overlooked for a wildcard into ‌the men's singles draw but was belatedly granted one after ‌several days of outcry from fans over his ‌exclusion.[/p][p]When American wildcard [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kypson-patrick/8W9dxtVO/"]Patrick Kypson[/a] pulled out injured, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wawrinka-stan/Uo9lu6le/"]Wawrinka[/a] received a call late on Wednesday confirming that he had been ‌given a place in the draw.[/p][p]"[b]It's my ⁠last Grand Slam of ‌my career, so of course it's going to be special ​when I'm gonna play the match. That's for sure[/b]," the 41-year-old Swiss told reporters in ​Flushing Meadows on Saturday.[/p][p]"[b]I'm going to feel it. That's a no-brainer. But I'm super excited. I'm happy. I'm ⁠enjoying the fact ​that I have this opportunity to be here one last time.[/b]"[/p][embed guid="d259b547-4fd0-4b1e-b282-24de9f7a1950" url="https://x.com/usopen/status/2092634804764184607?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]The former world number three participated in the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon this year on ‌wildcards.[/p][p]Wawrinka said when he was aspiring to be a top player, he told himself he would only think about regrets after his career came to a close.[/p][p]"[b]I think I did everything possible to be the best version of a tennis player I could. I always push myself all those years, trying to give everything on the court and off the court. ‌So with that, I'm quite in peace with myself,[/b]" ​he said.[/p][p]"[b]I know I couldn't do it more. ‌I know I took all the opportunity I had. Of course, I have some small regret. Of course, there is many match I would love to change the score, but at the end, ⁠like I say, I ⁠think I'm in ‌peace with myself.[/b]"[/p]