Swiss tennis legend Stan Wawrinka has bid an emotional farewell to the Australian Open, marking another significant step in his final year as a professional player. The three-time Grand Slam champion, who announced that 2026 would be his last season on the international circuit, suffered a hard-fought 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss against American Taylor Fritz in the third round at Melbourne's John Cain Arena on Saturday.
An Emotional Exit from Melbourne
The former world number three, who captured the 2014 Australian Open title with a memorable victory over Rafael Nadal, experienced a bittersweet conclusion to his final appearance at the tournament where he achieved his first major breakthrough. Just one day after becoming the oldest man to reach the third round at Melbourne Park since Ken Rosewall accomplished the feat in 1978, Wawrinka's remarkable run came to an end against the formidable Fritz.
Following the match, the 41-year-old Swiss star shared an emotional moment with tournament director Craig Tiley, enjoying a beer together while also connecting with the appreciative crowd that had supported him throughout the tournament. This farewell marked the end of Wawrinka's 18th appearance at the Australian Open, where he had established himself as one of the tournament's most beloved competitors.
Competitive Mindset in Final Season
In his post-match press conference, Wawrinka emphasized that his final year on tour isn't merely about ceremonial goodbyes. "My mindset was what I have been saying, I'm not doing the year to just say goodbye in tournaments," the Swiss champion declared. "It's my last year, so of course when I'm going to lose in a tournament, it's going to be a goodbye for this tournament, but my mindset is still a competitor and I always want to push myself."
Wawrinka elaborated on his approach to balancing competition with appreciation during his farewell tour: "I'm trying to find the balance between competitor, trying to win, but at the same time enjoying those moments with the fans, with the atmosphere. And here it was more than I could expect with the support. Every match was something really special, and I really appreciate that."
Remarkable Career Achievements
The world number 139 demonstrated his enduring competitive spirit throughout the Australian Open, scoring victories over Laslo Djere and Arthur Gea before his third-round exit. His second-round triumph over Gea proved particularly dramatic, with Wawrinka prevailing 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(3) in a marathon match lasting four hours and thirty-three minutes.
This five-set thriller marked Wawrinka's 58th career match extending to the maximum sets, establishing a remarkable record for the Swiss star. With 31 victories in those 58 five-set encounters, Wawrinka has cemented his reputation as one of tennis's most resilient competitors when matches reach their maximum length.
Preparation and Perspective
When questioned about his surprising performance level at age 41, Wawrinka revealed the extensive preparation that enabled his competitive showing. "Surprised? No. Because I know I was practising, how much I pushed myself to try to get to that level," he explained. "I think the United Cup was the perfect start, because it gave me a lot of time on the court against top players. Even if I won only one match, I had the chance to play five and spend a lot of time. This is exactly what I was missing last year."
The Swiss veteran expressed satisfaction with his current form despite his impending retirement: "This for me was a great two weeks, three weeks, between here and the United Cup. The level was great. I can see that I'm competitive, that I'm feeling good on the court, that I can win some good matches, and play against the top players. It's exactly what I'm looking for. This doesn't change my goal for the year."
Wawrinka maintained his characteristic determination, stating: "It's always going to be to push my limit. It's not because I played well these three weeks that I'm going to win a lot of matches in the next few months. But at least I know where my level is and what I can still do, and I'm happy with that."
Tennis Community Pays Tribute
Wawrinka's Grand Slam legacy includes not only his 2014 Australian Open triumph but also championship victories at the 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open, both achieved with victories over Novak Djokovic. The Serbian superstar himself paid tribute to his longtime rival following Wawrinka's Australian Open exit.
"He's a great champion on and off the court, a very likeable guy," Djokovic told reporters after his own third-round victory over Botic van de Zandschulp. "He did everything the right way, and he deserved every applause he had this tournament. When he's gone, tennis is going to lose a great player and a great person."
As Wawrinka continues his farewell tour through the 2026 season, the tennis world prepares to bid adieu to one of the sport's most respected champions, whose powerful single-handed backhand and fighting spirit have left an indelible mark on the game for nearly two decades.
