Roger Federer ‘Apology’ Goes Viral After Stanislas Wawrinka Drops Retirement Bombshell

Let’s be honest: if anyone else called Roger Federer an “asshole” in front of a packed stadium, security would probably tackle them before the mic even hit the floor. But when Stan Wawrinka does it? It’s just another Tuesday in one of tennis’s best bromances.

With Stan “The Man” recently announcing that 2026 will be his final lap on the ATP Tour, the internet—being the nostalgia-obsessed machine that it is—has dug up one of the funniest moments in tennis history. And honestly, it’s the perfect palate cleanser for the emotional retirement news.

In case you missed the original drama (or were too busy watching Federer glide across the court like a gazelle in a headband), let’s rewind to the 2017 Indian Wells final. It was an all-Swiss showdown, and naturally, Federer walked away with the trophy because, well, he’s Roger Federer.

The Moment Wawrinka “Roasted” the Goat

After losing 6-4, 7-5, an exhausted and emotional Wawrinka stepped up to the microphone. He was trying to be gracious. He was trying to be a good sport. But then he looked over at Federer, who was sitting courtside, cracking up at his friend’s misery.

That’s when Wawrinka dropped the line of the century: “I would like to congratulate Roger. He’s laughing. He’s an asshole, but it’s OK.”

The crowd erupted. Federer burst into laughter. It was the kind of genuine, unscripted moment you rarely see in modern sports, where media training usually turns athletes into robots. It wasn’t malicious; it was the playful jab of a little brother sick of his big brother winning at Mario Kart.

The “Apology” We Didn’t Know We Needed

Fast forward to the present day. With Wawrinka’s retirement announcement hitting the feeds, Indian Wells reposted that iconic clip. Stan, never one to take himself too seriously, shared it to his own Instagram story with a simple two-word caption: “My Bad.”

It’s hilarious because, let’s face it, he wasn’t really sorry. And Federer, who later admitted he’s been called worse things in locker rooms without cameras rolling, definitely didn’t need an apology. In fact, Federer claimed at the time he was only laughing to try and cheer Stan up. “I was looking at him going, ‘You’ll be fine,’ and gave him a laugh… maybe get his mind off it. I guess I achieved that,” Federer said.

Yeah, Roger. You definitely achieved that.

A Rivalry Built on Respect (and Trophies)

While the “asshole” comment is the stuff of meme legends, it highlights just how deep the bond runs between these two. Their head-to-head record looks like a typo—Federer won 23 out of 26 matches. That’s not a rivalry; that’s a monopoly.

But Wawrinka made his wins count. He beat Federer in the 2014 Monte-Carlo final and the 2015 French Open quarterfinals. Stan was arguably the only guy outside the “Big Three” (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic) who could consistently muscle his way into the conversation during the golden era of tennis. He snagged three Grand Slams in the era of giants, beating Djokovic and Nadal in finals when they were at the peak of their powers.

The End of an Era

Wawrinka’s upcoming retirement marks the closing of another chapter in this golden generation. He’s battled injuries, surgeries, and the inevitable march of time, but he’s still out there grinding. The fact that he’s closing the book in 2026 gives us one last year to appreciate the sheer power of that one-handed backhand—and hopefully, a few more candid mic moments.

As for Federer? He’s probably somewhere in the Swiss Alps right now, sipping espresso, watching that clip, and still laughing.