Stan Wawrinka Holds Back Tears in an Emotional Message After 1st Australian Open Win in 5 Years

It’s an emotional time for Stan Wawrinka. The Swiss veteran, playing his last Australian Open main draw, just marked his first win. The same tournament he conquered in 2014 after debuting here in 2006 still brings out his best. Melbourne Park knows him well, and this week, he’s showing why. Yet, one thing still leaves him speechless.

On Monday, Wawrinka took down Laslo Djere 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 in a battle that stretched over three hours and twenty minutes. It was his first victory here since 2021, and it earned him a rare place in history. The 40-year-old became only the third man since 1978 to win a Major match at that age, joining Jimmy Connors and Ivo Karlovic. It wasn’t easy, but something bigger was driving the former World No.3.

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“Because of you guys,” Stan Wawrinka said to the crowd at Show Court Arena.

“Thank you. Thank you, thank you. It’s been a long journey; it’s been amazing. So many memories here, it’s been incredible. The only reason I come back is because of the love you give me. It was amazing today, so thank you so much.”

After years of injuries and frustrating seasons, the Swiss veteran finally looked like himself again. His first-serve percentage hit just 49%, but he made it count with 14 aces and unwavering focus. He dropped serve twice from only four chances given to the Serb.

On the other side, Djere faltered under pressure, spraying nearly 70 unforced errors and facing 17 break points. He saved 14 of them but stumbled when it mattered most, falling in the final tie-break after a gutsy fight.

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At 40, Wawrinka remains a master of rhythm and control. He dictated both the quickfire rallies and the long grinding exchanges, sealing the win in true Wawrinka fashion. Laslo had his moments, saving a set point at 4-5 in the opener, then snatching the set 7-5, but the 2014 champion stormed back in the second. The Swiss tightened up his serve, sharpened his returns, and flipped the momentum his way.

Yet for Stan, the crowd was everything. The packed stands lifted him at every turn, and he soaked it all in. As he now moves into Round 2 at the Australian Open, things are looking up. In his final season, Wawrinka has already started strong.

Ahead of Melbourne, he led Team Switzerland to the United Cup finals. Though he didn’t lift the trophy, his grit and determination were on full display. And Wawrinka knows exactly what he still brings to the court. Although he may have pushed his limits.

Stan Wawrinka speaks up on the decision to retire

Stan “the Man” officially called time on his remarkable career on December 20, 2025. Fans have known this was coming, but the retirement post still hit hard. “One last push,” he wrote on social media, announcing his departure. The 40-year-old, who turns 41 in March, has always been more than just another player on tour.

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He rose to prominence in an era ruled by the Big Three, carving out his place in tennis history the hard way. Over the years, Wawrinka’s story became a symbol of resilience. From his trademark backhand to his fiery personality, he always found a way to make headlines, completely on his own terms.

Let’s not forget, the Swiss star also struck gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, teaming up to win the doubles title. For someone who spent much of his career around the Big Three, who dominated the courts, that golden moment remains unforgettable.

Even so, retirement didn’t come easy. Stan Wawrinka admitted he spent plenty of time wrestling with the decision, calling himself “a creature of habit” who kept pushing past his limits. When he finally sat down for an interview with The Guardian ahead of the Australian Open, he spoke with the honesty fans have come to love.

“Of course I would love to play more freely. And sometimes I tell myself: ‘Just play freely,’” he said. “But I care so much that it’s not that easy.”

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Three Grand Slam titles might tell only part of his story, but the way he won them speaks volumes. He beat the ATP No. 1 in every final, Nadal at the 2014 Australian Open and Djokovic at both the 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open. Along the way, he toppled Federer in Paris and Djokovic again in Melbourne. Talk about doing it the hard way.

“At the end, I really believe that I squeezed the lemon until the last drop,” Stan Wawrinka reflected. “And that, for me, is the most important, because that’s the only way I can leave this sport without any regrets.”

Now, back in Melbourne and eyeing a second-round clash with the winner of Jiri Lehecka versus Arthur Gea, Stan is gearing up for one final fight. The question is: Can he make one last deep run?

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