Stan Wawrinka brought his Australian Open journey to a close with a heartfelt and beer-fuelled farewell after a third-round defeat to Taylor Fritz. The 40-year-old Swiss star, who announced this would be his final professional season, shared a poignant moment with fans and officials at Melbourne Park.
A Toast to a Storied Career
Following his 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss to World No. 9 Fritz, Wawrinka grabbed two beers from a courtside ice box. He cracked the cans with Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley, saluting the crowd with a cheerful "Cheers everybody!" and expressing deep gratitude for the support over his career.
Historic Milestone Achieved
Wawrinka's farewell was underscored by a remarkable statistic: he became the first man aged 40 or older to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Ken Rosewall at the 1978 Australian Open. This milestone came after a gruelling four-and-a-half-hour, five-set victory over 21-year-old French qualifier Arthur Gea in the second round, which also marked his record 49th five-set match at a major.
"I’m not sure it’s the best statistic to have," Wawrinka remarked about the 40-plus achievement, "but I will take it." His career highlights include winning the first of his three Grand Slam titles in Australia back in 2014, cementing his legacy in the sport.
Emotional Goodbye in Melbourne
Before the 2026 season, Wawrinka confirmed this would be his last on the professional circuit, though he emphasised it wasn't merely a farewell tour—he continued to train hard and deliver results. After his final match at John Cain Arena, Tiley joined him on court for a ceremony, featuring a small tribute on the stadium screen.
In his closing speech, Wawrinka reflected on his two decades of emotions in Melbourne, stating, "It was my last time as a tennis player here, unfortunately. I had so many emotions here the last 20 years. I’m sad to leave, but it’s been an amazing journey." He then ad-libbed, "Now I can enjoy. If you don’t mind, I’d like to share a beer with Craig."
Fritz Advances Amid Challenging Conditions
Taylor Fritz, the 2024 US Open runner-up, progressed to a round of 16 clash against No. 5 Lorenzo Musetti, who earlier survived a four-and-a-half-hour marathon against Tomas Machac. That match was interrupted for about 10 minutes in the fifth set to close the roof when the stadium's extreme heat policy was activated.
Fritz thrived in the indoor conditions, firing 30 aces and just one double-fault against Wawrinka. He praised his opponent's resilience, saying, "It’s a really, really tough match obviously, the environment as well. I can’t blame anyone in the crowd for cheering for Stan here. It’s amazing what he’s out here doing. I have so much respect for the passion and the drive that it takes to be doing what he’s doing this week."
This farewell not only celebrated Wawrinka's illustrious career but also highlighted the enduring spirit of tennis, blending competition with camaraderie in a memorable Australian Open chapter.
