It has been 20 years since Stan Wawrinka made his main-draw debut at the Australian Open, and 12 years since he famously defeated Rafael Nadal to capture his first Grand Slam title. Now, at 40 years old, the Swiss tennis legend is on the final leg of his farewell tour—but he is proving that age is no barrier to elite performance.

Wawrinka, a wildcard entry at Australian Open 2026, battled Serbia’s Laslo Djere in a grueling first-round encounter, ultimately prevailing in four sets: 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). After more than three hours on court, the three-time Grand Slam champion has kept his Melbourne campaign alive, delighting fans eager to witness his swan song.

---

Wawrinka’s Comeback After Losing the First Set

The match against world number 92 Djere was a testament to Wawrinka’s fighting spirit and experience. Losing the opening set, he demonstrated resilience and tactical acumen, coming from a break down in the fourth set to secure victory in a tense tie-break.

“It is my last year. The passion is still intact, but I’m not young any more,” Wawrinka said after the match.
“Today was amazing. It’s so special for me to enter the court and compete at a Grand Slam. I practice hard every day for moments like this.”

This win marked Wawrinka’s first Grand Slam victory since Wimbledon 2024, and his first at Melbourne Park in five years. At 40 years and 296 days old, he is now the second-oldest male player to win a match at the Australian Open, behind only Ivo Karlovic, who achieved the feat in 2020 at 40 years and 326 days.

---

A Veteran Inspires the Crowd

Wawrinka’s triumph was celebrated by the vocal Melbourne crowd. The Swiss pointed to all four corners of Show Court Arena, encouraging fans to cheer even louder. His emotional celebration reflected not just the intensity of the match, but the significance of what could be one of his final appearances at the tournament.

“Only at the end of the match, I started to think a little bit and got too much emotion about maybe what could happen,” Wawrinka admitted.
“It was a big battle, and I’m happy to win.”

---

Marin Cilic Joins Wawrinka in Round Two

Monday’s second half of play was dominated by tennis veterans. 37-year-old Marin Cilic cruised past Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 6-0, 6-0, 7-6 (6-3), nearly achieving a rare “triple bagel”—a feat accomplished by only five men in Grand Slam history.

Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion and 2018 Australian Open finalist, rattled through the first two sets in just 50 minutes, winning 13 consecutive games. Although Altmaier rallied in the third set to force a tie-break, the Croat ultimately secured the win, setting up a second-round clash with Canadian 21st seed Denis Shapovalov.

---

Wawrinka’s Road Ahead

For Wawrinka, the second round will see him face French qualifier Arthur Gea, who stunned Czech 17th seed Jiri Lehecka in straight sets. Despite nearing the end of his career, Wawrinka remains focused on competing at the highest level and leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.

“I’m a competitor, so I’m always going to fight,” Wawrinka said.
“Hopefully, I’m going to play another good match.”

With a career spanning over two decades, three Grand Slam titles, and countless memorable moments, Wawrinka’s Australian Open 2026 campaign is more than a farewell—it is a celebration of longevity, resilience, and passion for tennis.

---

Key Facts: Wawrinka at the Australian Open 2026

• Age: 40 years, 296 days
• Opponent (Round 1): Laslo Djere (Serbia) – Win 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
• Grand Slam Wins: 3 (Australian Open 2014, French Open 2015, US Open 2016)
• Next Match: Arthur Gea (France) – Round 2