Stan Wawrinka Bids Emotional Farewell to Australian Open After 18-Year Journey
The Australian Open witnessed the end of an era on Saturday as Swiss tennis legend Stan Wawrinka's remarkable 18-year relationship with Melbourne Park came to a poignant conclusion. The 40-year-old veteran, playing his final season on tour, bowed out in the third round following a hard-fought four-set defeat to American ninth seed Taylor Fritz at John Cain Arena.
A Fitting Farewell for a Former Champion
Wawrinka's 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss marked a respectful and fitting conclusion to his Australian Open journey that began back in 2006 and peaked with his championship victory in 2014. The popular Swiss player received overwhelming crowd support throughout the match, with spectators recognizing this as his final appearance at Melbourne Park.
Intense Battle Under Closed Roof
The match began with both players displaying exceptional skill and determination. The opening set remained on serve throughout, leading to a tense tie-break played under the closed roof due to extreme heat conditions. Both athletes traded powerful forehands before Fritz, aged 28, narrowly edged the breaker to secure the early advantage.
Wawrinka responded magnificently in the second set, feeding off the energy from a crowd firmly in his corner. He surged to a commanding 3-0 lead and displayed some of his finest tennis of the tournament. After saving two crucial break points to extend his lead to 5-2, the Swiss veteran broke Fritz's serve to claim the set in just 33 minutes, leveling the match.
Historic Achievement Followed by Physical Toll
Just two days earlier, Wawrinka had made tennis history by becoming the first man aged 40 or over to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Ken Rosewall accomplished the feat at the 1978 Australian Open. Following that achievement, the exhausted veteran had humorously mentioned celebrating with a beer, but Fritz showed no signs of complacency against his experienced opponent.
The American raised his game significantly in the third set, breaking decisively in the seventh game with a powerful smash that shifted momentum in his favor. As Fritz pushed ahead, Wawrinka required a medical timeout after the third set, with the physical toll of the tournament becoming increasingly evident on the veteran player.
Closing Moments of a Storied Career
Despite continuing to fight valiantly, Wawrinka was visibly fading as Fritz closed out the match to secure his place in the last 16, where he will face Italy's fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti. Currently ranked 139 in the world, Wawrinka reached a career-high world number three ranking in 2014 during his peak years.
A Legacy Among Tennis Greats
Wawrinka's major titles came during the golden era dominated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. His Grand Slam triumphs include the Australian Open in 2014, the French Open in 2015, and the US Open in 2016. Throughout his illustrious career, the Swiss star has claimed 16 ATP titles, with his most recent victory coming in Geneva in 2017.
Adding to his impressive resume, Wawrinka also secured Olympic gold in doubles alongside compatriot Roger Federer at the Beijing Games in 2008. This well-rounded career has earned him lasting respect and admiration throughout the global tennis community, cementing his status as one of the sport's most beloved and accomplished players of his generation.
