On the same courts where he made his Grand Slam breakthrough over a decade ago, Stan Wawrinka played his final match at the Australian Open on Saturday night. The 40-year-old Swiss legend, who announced that 2026 would be his farewell season, exited with his head held high after a valiant 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 third-round loss to American ninth seed Taylor Fritz.
As the clocks ticked past midnight on John Cain Arena, the scoreboard mattered less than the man. Wawrinka, the 2014 champion, was treated to a standing ovation and a special on-court ceremony that encapsulated his "Stanimal" persona: gritty, world-class, and deeply human.
Wawrinka didn't just show up for a goodbye tour; he showed up to win. At 40, he became the oldest man to reach the third round of the Australian Open since the legendary Ken Rosewall in 1978. Throughout the four-set battle, he uncorked his signature "backhand missiles," pushing the 28-year-old Fritz to the limit.
| Set | Score | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7-6(5) Fritz | A high-octane tiebreak decided by a single mini-break. |
| 2 | 6-2 Wawrinka | The "Stanimal" roared, dominating with power from the baseline. |
| 3 | 6-4 Fritz | Wawrinka took a medical timeout; Fritz capitalised on the physical dip. |
| 4 | 6-4 Fritz | Fritz withstood late pressure to book a clash with Lorenzo Musetti. |
My mindset was what I have been saying, I'm not doing the year to just say goodbye in tournaments. It's my last year... but my mindset is still a competitor and I always want to push myselfStan Wawrinka
Following the match, tournament director Craig Tiley joined Wawrinka on court for a video tribute. In a moment that resonated with fans worldwide, the two shared a beer; a casual, poignant salute to the man who famously disrupted the "Big Three" dominance.
Australian Open Champion: 2014
French Open Champion: 2015
US Open Champion: 2016
Wins vs. Big Three: At least 3 wins each against Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.
Proud to call him a friend and a rival... His legacy will definitely stay and live with many different younger generations that look up to him. When he's gone, tennis is going to lose a great player and a great personNovak Djokovic