Stan Wawrinka Defies Age in Historic Australian Open Marathon
In what will be remembered as one of the most dramatic matches of his farewell season, Swiss tennis legend Stan Wawrinka pushed his body to the absolute limit at Melbourne Park, surviving a grueling five-set marathon to reach the third round of the Australian Open and rewrite a significant slice of Grand Slam history.
A Battle of Generations That Went the Distance
The 40-year-old Swiss veteran edged past 21-year-old French qualifier Arthur Gea in an epic contest lasting four hours and thirty-three minutes, ultimately winning 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10/3). This remarkable encounter became the longest match of the 2026 Australian Open tournament, showcasing incredible resilience from both competitors.
This was Wawrinka's final appearance at the tournament where he famously lifted the trophy in 2014, adding emotional weight to an already significant achievement. At 40 years and 310 days, Wawrinka became the first man aged 40 or over to reach the third round of a major since Australian legend Ken Rosewall accomplished the feat at the Australian Open in 1978, when he was 44 years old.
Experience Triumphs Over Youth in Tense Finale
Wawrinka, who announced his impending retirement last month and is playing his final season on the professional tour, held firm in the deciding super tiebreak as his younger opponent battled cramps and physical distress late in the match. When asked on court how he was feeling after such an ordeal, Wawrinka summed it up perfectly with a single word: "Exhausted!"
"As I told you, it's my last Australian Open, so I'm trying to last as long as possible," he explained to the enthusiastic crowd. "Not only I had fun but you gave me so much energy. I'm not young any more so I need the extra."
The Melbourne crowd remained fully invested as daylight faded, watching the veteran draw on vast reserves of experience accumulated over two decades of professional tennis.
The Match That Tested Every Limit
The contest followed a dramatic pattern of momentum shifts:
- After dropping the opening set, Wawrinka struck back with authority in the second
- Gea reclaimed control in the third set, putting the former champion under pressure once again
- Wawrinka refused to fade, breaking serve at a crucial moment to snatch the fourth set
- He opened the deciding fifth set with another break, even as Gea had both knees heavily strapped
With neither player willing to yield, the contest spilled into a tense final tiebreak, where Wawrinka's composure proved decisive. When asked how he planned to recover before the next round, Wawrinka pointed to a lighter moment from earlier in the match with characteristic humor: "I'll pick up a beer. I deserve one!" he said with a smile.
Historical Significance Beyond the Scoreline
Now ranked 139 and competing on a wildcard, Wawrinka will face either ninth seed Taylor Fritz of the United States or Czech player Vit Kopriva in the third round. The match carried historical significance beyond the immediate result, marking Wawrinka's 49th five-set match in Grand Slam competition. This achievement moves him past his compatriot Roger Federer for the most five-set matches by any player in the Open Era.
Wawrinka first played at Melbourne Park in 2006 and enjoyed the peak of his career here in 2014, a season that saw him rise to world number three. His three Grand Slam titles came during an era dominated by tennis giants Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, with Wawrinka carving out his own place among these legends.
A Legacy of Major Achievements
Wawrinka's remarkable career includes:
- Australian Open triumph in 2014
- French Open victory in 2015
- US Open championship in 2016
- 16 ATP tour titles
- Olympic gold in doubles with Roger Federer at the 2008 Beijing Games
"It is an amazing feeling," Wawrinka reflected after his historic win. "It was a long match. I don't know how I am going to recover."
For one more night in Melbourne, exhaustion gave way to emotion as Wawrinka found a way to keep his farewell run alive, proving that age is just a number when determination and experience combine on the grandest stages of tennis.
