AO 2026: Wawrinka writing final chapter with pure joy

"The reason I train hard every day"

Another former champion, ‘Stan the Man’ to his massive worldwide fan base, has begun his 20th and final Australian Open campaign with a performance brimming with ‘Stanimal’ energy on court and in the stands.

That’s right, 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka rallied to oust Serbian Laslo Djere 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) on an electric Kia Arena, his first Melbourne Park victory since 2021.

The standing ovation clearly meant a lot to the Australian Open 2014 champion.

“It has been a long journey. It has been amazing, so many memories here, it has been incredible. The only reason I come back is because of the love you give me, it was amazing today,” said Wawrinka, addressing the crowd on Monday.

“It is the reason I train hard every day with my team, to be here competing with the best players in the world. I am so happy I won and have a chance to play one more match here. I am trying to enjoy but I am also a competitor, so I am always going to fight and hopefully I will play another good match.”

Just a week before Christmas, the former world No.3 announced via social media that 2026 would be his last year on tour. The Instagram copy used words to spell out ‘PASSION’ and ‘DREAM,’ the Swiss is determined to finish with a flourish, to achieve some final moments of glory.

“Every book needs an ending,” stated the same Instagram and Wawrinka began writing his final chapter with swashbuckling style at the United Cup.

The world No.139 cracked his trademark backhand on multiple occasions, roared to the crowd with his head pointing celebration en route to an edge-of-the-seat 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) victory against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech. The quality was there, the passion was there in abundance.

Pushing to the limit

“I've been working really hard to stay in shape, to push myself. I think also the week in United Cup helped me a lot because I played over three hours match back to back, plus a lot of tennis on the court, high level,” stated the Swiss. “It got me a lot of confidence into what I'm able to do. But at the end I'm still 40-years-old and you never know what happen.”

A quick rundown of his achievements – whether its lifting three Grand Slams in the ‘Big 3’ era, Olympic gold or Davis Cup silverware – Wawrinka has nothing to prove. However, the nerves still hit the greatest of champions.

“Almost all match. I'm always nervous,” admitted Wawrinka with a smile, having just started his 75th major main draw.

“That's always been positive for me. That's mean I really care. That's mean I really want to do well. I'm really pushing myself.

“That's when you need to be really disciplined with yourself, with your brain, with what you have to do during the match. I think those match also a bit longer in five set always help me to relax, to be a bit more focused, to move a bit better. That was the case today.”

There’s an insight into the champion’s mentality, which he’ll need to extend his stay at AO 2026. Wawrinka faces French qualifier Arthur Géa in the second round, who stunned No.17 seed Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 7-6(1), 7-5.

Géa will almost certainly have the crowd to contend with too, as the Melbournians cheer on this modern day fan favourite.

“He's one of the greats of the sport,” said the gracious Djere in defeat. “Obviously, his level dropped from where it was 10 years ago, but that's expected and that's normal. He's still able to play on a high level.”

Age may not be a factor in Wawrinka’s joy, neither a factor for his competitive instincts to ignite, however, ‘Stan the Man,’ is well aware of his limitations.

“I wish it would feel the same, the same power and everything,” admitted Wawrinka, who has posted 584 career victories and counting.

“No, I don't try to feel the same as 10 years or more ago. I always been honest with myself, knowing where I am, what's my ability, what I can do, what I can still achieve, the way I can still play. I try to use that on court every matches.

“I know I'm not physical and tennis-wise as I was before. That's normal. I'm getting old. But I'm still happy with what I'm doing, always trying to push my own limit, always trying to be better.”

Stanimal pushing to the limit, Géa in quite the groove, make sure you don’t miss this one.