Stan Wawrinka may no longer possess the explosive pace and raw power that once defined his prime, but at the Australian Open 2026, the Swiss legend showed that resilience and competitive fire can still outshine age. Competing in what he has confirmed will be his final season on the professional tour, the 40-year-old delivered a performance in Melbourne that embodied everything he has stood for during a career spanning more than two decades.
In a dramatic second-round clash at Melbourne Park, Wawrinka battled past 21-year-old French qualifier Arthur Gea in an epic five-set encounter that stretched over four hours and 33 minutes. After falling behind twice in the match and pushing his body to its limits, the veteran found another gear when it mattered most, sealing a memorable 4-6 6-3 3-6 7-5 7-6 (10-3) victory. The win made him the first player aged 40 or above to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Ken Rosewall achieved the feat at the 1978 Australian Open, breaking a 48-year-old record.
The match was a reminder of Wawrinka’s trademark fighting spirit. Deep into the contest, with legs heavy from years of grinding on tour, he continued to trust his iconic one-handed backhand and fearless shot-making. At crucial moments, he absorbed pressure, redirected pace and refused to surrender, even as cramps threatened to slow him down. His ability to raise his level in the deciding match tiebreak showcased the mental strength that has defined his legacy.
Wawrinka’s victory also reinforced his reputation as one of the greatest five-set players of the Open Era. Holding the record for the most five-set wins in modern tennis, he once again demonstrated why endurance and belief have been his greatest weapons. Despite entering the tournament ranked outside the top 100 and coming off a difficult 2025 season, the three-time Grand Slam champion proved that experience and determination can still bridge the gap against younger opponents.
Having already announced that 2026 will be his final year on the ATP Tour, Wawrinka acknowledged the emotional weight of competing in his last Australian Open. Rather than treating the tournament as a farewell tour filled with nostalgia, he has approached it with the same mindset that carried him to Grand Slam titles between 2014 and 2016, when he defeated the likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on the biggest stages.
Although a challenging test awaits him in the next round against ninth seed Taylor Fritz, Wawrinka’s Melbourne run has already become a defining chapter of his farewell season. It reflects a career built on perseverance, courage and an unrelenting desire to push beyond perceived limits. At 40, with the end of his journey in sight, Stan Wawrinka continues to embody the essence of a true marathon man in tennis.
