Wawrinka shuts down 2017 season to undergo surgery

Stan Wawrinka has opted for knee surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2017 season.

The Swiss star, who was troubled by the knee in his first-round loss at Wimbledon, pulled out of Masters events in Montreal and Cincinnati yet will now go a step further.

The decision means he will not defend his US Open title.

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“After talking with my team and doctor I had to make a difficult decision to undergo a medical intervention on my knee,” he said in a statement.

“This was the only solution to make sure I will be able to compete at the top level for many more years.

“This is obviously extremely disappointing, but I’m already looking ahead and planning my recovery. I love this sport and I will work hard to get back to my top level and play many more years.”

Wawrinka joins Novak Djokovic in making the decision to terminate his season after Wimbledon.

Roger Federer did the same in 2016.

Wawrinka, currently ranked No.4, has enjoyed a solid season during which he reached the Australian Open semifinals and French Open final, yet this will be the first time since 2013 that he goes an entire year without a Grand Slam trophy.

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He struggled with a knee injury in his five-set loss to Federer in Melbourne and withdrew from Rotterdam a few weeks later with the same ailment.

His one title in 2017 came in Geneva; he also reached the final at Indian Wells, falling to Federer.