In a moment of pure sporting theatre, Stan Wawrinka brought his Australian Open journey to a poignant and celebratory close on Saturday, marking his final appearance at Melbourne Park with a heartfelt tribute and a refreshing beer.
A Fitting Finale with Fritz
The 40-year-old Swiss maestro, a three-time Grand Slam champion, saw his 2026 campaign end in the third round with a 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 defeat to American ninth seed Taylor Fritz. Despite the loss, the atmosphere was one of celebration for a remarkable career.
Cheers to the Crowd
Following the formal on-court ceremony with Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley, which included a tribute video on the stadium screen at John Cain Arena, Wawrinka addressed the adoring crowd. "Normally we talk on court after a final. Today is not a final, so I won’t make it too long," he began, before expressing his profound gratitude.
"Thank you for the wildcard invitation … to have one last chance to say goodbye to the people in Melbourne," Wawrinka stated. "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."
In a spontaneous and memorable gesture, he then turned to Tiley and proposed, "Now I can enjoy. If you don’t mind, I’d like to share a beer with Craig." True to his word, Wawrinka promptly retrieved two cans from a courtside ice box, cracked them open with the tournament director, and raised a toast to the spectators with a hearty "Cheers everybody! And thank you so much."
Historic Achievements and a Final Season
Wawrinka's farewell followed a significant milestone. His epic 4 1/2-hour, five-set victory over 21-year-old French qualifier Arthur Gea in the second round made him the first man aged 40 or older to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since the legendary Ken Rosewall at the 1978 Australian Open. That match was also his 49th five-set encounter at a major, setting a new record.
"I’m not sure it’s the best statistic to have," he quipped about the age-related achievement, "but I will take it." Prior to the 2026 season, Wawrinka had announced this would be his final year on the professional tour, emphasising it was not merely a farewell circuit but a continued commitment to competition and results.
Fritz Advances with Respect
For Taylor Fritz, the victory propelled him into the round of 16, where he will face fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti. The Italian earlier survived a 4 1/2-hour marathon himself, overcoming Tomas Machac 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in a match interrupted for approximately 10 minutes in the fifth set when the stadium's extreme heat policy necessitated closing the roof.
The 2024 U.S. Open runner-up thrived in the subsequent indoor conditions against Wawrinka, firing an impressive 30 aces and committing just one double-fault across four sets. Reflecting on the occasion, Fritz paid tribute to his opponent. "It’s a really, really tough match obviously, the environment as well," he said. "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."
A Champion's Legacy in Melbourne
Wawrinka's connection with the Australian Open is deeply rooted. It was on these very courts in 2014 that he captured the first of his three Grand Slam singles titles, a breakthrough victory that cemented his status among the sport's elite. His emotional departure closes a significant chapter, not just for the player, but for the tournament and its fans who have witnessed his powerful game and fighting spirit for two decades.
