In a display of enduring grit and skill, Swiss tennis legend Stan Wawrinka kicked off his singles campaign on his farewell tour with a marathon victory. The 40-year-old defeated France's Arthur Rinderknech in a thrilling encounter at the United Cup in Perth on Saturday.
A Gruelling Three-Hour Battle
The match was a true test of stamina, lasting a mammoth 3 hours and 16 minutes. Wawrinka, currently ranked 157th in the world, overcame the 29th-ranked Rinderknech with a scoreline of 5-7, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5). The three-time Grand Slam champion showcased that his famous fighting spirit remains undimmed, rallying to win two tightly contested tie-breaks after dropping the first set.
Wawrinka's Reflections on a Final Season
Speaking after the match, an emotional Wawrinka expressed his gratitude for the support in Perth. "Today was a tough battle... it’s amazing to come here for the first time, to have so much support," he said. He highlighted the novelty of playing in a new city after two decades on tour.
The veteran had announced in December that the 2026 season would be his last on the ATP circuit. "I’m happy with the decision (to retire) and feeling at peace with that," Wawrinka stated. However, he isn't just playing out time; he has a clear competitive goal: to improve his ranking and re-enter the world's top 100 before hanging up his racket. His career-high ranking was World No. 3, achieved after his 2014 Australian Open triumph.
Swiss Team Takes Commanding Lead
Wawrinka's heroic win sealed a perfect day for Switzerland at the United Cup, a key warm-up event for the Australian Open. Earlier, his teammate Belinda Bencic had secured a straight-sets victory (6-2, 6-4) over France's Leolia Jeanjean. These results gave the Swiss team a commanding 2-0 lead in the tie.
The United Cup is one of several tournaments being held in Australia over the next two weeks, leading up to the first Grand Slam of the year. The Australian Open is scheduled to begin in Melbourne on January 18.
