From Ilham Vuilloud to Donna Vekic: Stan Wawrinka's Public Romantic Journey

Stanislas "Stan" Wawrinka, the Swiss tennis sensation and multiple Grand Slam champion, has had a relatively private but publicly scrutinized romantic life, particularly during his most prominent years on the ATP Tour. His relationships have often garnered media attention, reflecting the challenges of maintaining personal connections under the intense spotlight of professional sports. While known for his powerful one-handed backhand on court, off-court, Wawrinka's romantic path has seen significant milestones and public discussions.

Wawrinka's first major public relationship was with Swiss television presenter and former model Ilham Vuilloud. The couple began dating in the mid-2000s and eventually tied the knot. Their wedding took place on December 15, 2009, marking a significant step in the tennis star's personal life. The marriage was initially seen as a stable foundation for Wawrinka as he navigated his burgeoning career.

Their union was blessed with a daughter, Alexia Wawrinka, born in 2010. However, the demands of professional tennis, with its constant travel and pressure, reportedly strained their relationship. In September 2011, Wawrinka announced a temporary separation from Vuilloud, citing a need to focus on his career, a decision that drew considerable media attention at the time. He later returned to his family, attempting to reconcile.

Despite their efforts, the challenges persisted, and Wawrinka publicly announced their separation for good in April 2015. In a statement posted on his Facebook page, he confirmed their divorce, stating, > "It's with sadness that I must announce that after 10 years, Ilham and I have decided to separate. We have been lucky to share many things together, including our daughter Alexia, who is always our priority." He cited the constant travel and demands of his profession as a contributing factor to the split, emphasizing the difficulty of balancing a professional tennis career with family life.

Following his divorce from Ilham Vuilloud, Wawrinka's romantic life once again became a topic of public interest when he was linked to Croatian tennis player Donna Vekic. Their relationship reportedly began sometime in 2015, though it was initially kept private. Vekic, a talented player herself, was significantly younger than Wawrinka, and their pairing brought two professional tennis careers together.

The relationship gained widespread public attention, and a degree of notoriety, during a match at the 2015 Montreal Masters. Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios infamously made a derogatory comment about Vekic during his match against Stan Wawrinka, stating, > "Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend. Sorry to tell you that, mate." This incident caused a major scandal in the tennis world, leading to fines and widespread condemnation for Kyrgios, and inadvertently thrusting Wawrinka and Vekic's relationship into the global spotlight.

Despite the public scrutiny and the controversial incident, Wawrinka and Vekic continued their relationship for several years. They were often seen supporting each other at tournaments around the world, confirming their status as a couple. Their relationship highlighted the unique dynamics of two professional athletes dating, sharing similar lifestyles and career pressures.

However, by late 2019 or early 2020, reports began to surface that Wawrinka and Vekic had quietly parted ways. Neither player made a formal public announcement regarding their split, maintaining their characteristic privacy regarding their personal lives. The end of their relationship marked the conclusion of Wawrinka's most high-profile romance since his divorce.

Since his relationship with Donna Vekic, Stan Wawrinka has largely kept his romantic life out of the public eye. There have been no widely reported or confirmed long-term relationships or partners. He appears to have focused primarily on his tennis career and personal well-being, maintaining a more private stance on his dating life. As of recent reports, Wawrinka's current relationship status remains unconfirmed, with the veteran player preferring to keep his personal affairs away from the glare of the media.