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Stan Wawrinka Saying goodbye after his loss Taylor Fritz Then he grabbed two beers from the sideline refrigerator and used australian open The tournament director greets the audience.
“Cheers, everyone!” the 40-year-old Wawrinka said after losing to No. 9 Fritz 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the third round on Saturday. “thank you very much.”
In 2014, Wawrinka won the first of his three Grand Slam titles in Australia.
Wawrinka defeated 21-year-old French qualifier Arthur Guia in the second round in four and a half hours and five sets, becoming the first man over 40 to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Ken Rosewall at the 1978 Australian Open. His 49th five-set match at a Grand Slam also set a record.
“I’m not sure if that’s the best statistic,” he said of the 40-plus milestone, “but I’ll take it.”
Wawrinka said before the start of the 2026 season that this would be his last on the professional tour, but added that this was more than just a farewell tour. He’s still putting in the work and still getting results.
Australian Open tournament director after Wawrinka’s final match at Melbourne Park Craig Tiley Joined him on the pitch for a ceremony and a small tribute on the stadium screen at John Cain Arena.
After the ceremony, Wawrinka wanted to say a few final words.
“Usually we talk on the court after the final. Today is not the final so I won’t talk too long,” he said. “Thank you for the wildcard invitation… this is the last chance to say goodbye to the people of Melbourne.
“Unfortunately, this is my last time here as a tennis player. I’ve had a lot of emotions here over the past 20 years. I’m sad to leave, but it’s been an amazing journey.”
Then he added more casually: “Now I can enjoy it. If you don’t mind, I’d like to have a beer with Craig.”
Fritz advances to the round of 16 to face the 5th Lorenzo MusettiEarlier on Saturday, he beat Tomas Machak 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in a marathon four-and-a-half-hour match at John Cain Arena. The match was paused for about 10 minutes in the fifth set to close the roof due to the stadium’s extreme heat policy.
Fritz, the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, enjoyed the indoor conditions, blasting 30 aces and only one double fault in four sets against Wawrinka.
“It was obviously a very, very difficult match and the environment,” Fritz said of Wawrinka’s final in Australia. “I can’t blame anyone in the crowd for cheering Stan on. It’s amazing what he’s done here.
“I have a lot of respect for the passion and drive it takes to do what he did this week.”
Associated Press