At 40 years old, Swiss tennis legend Stan Wawrinka proved he’s still got it, battling through an epic five-set thriller to reach the third round of the Australian Open for what may be the last time in his career.
Wawrinka, a former Australian Open champion, went toe-to-toe with French qualifier Arthur Gea in a gripping contest that lasted 4 hours and 33 minutes. Despite a tough start, Wawrinka showed his resilience, overcoming a set down to triumph 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10/3), securing his place in the third round.
In doing so, Wawrinka became the first player aged 40 or over to reach the men’s third round at a Grand Slam since the legendary Ken Rosewall at the 1978 Australian Open.
The three-time Grand Slam champion, who is playing his final season before retiring, fought through intense physical exhaustion, with his knees heavily strapped and his energy running low as the match wore on. Despite this, he summoned one last burst of brilliance, especially in the tense fifth set where he broke early and held on through a nail-biting finish.
Stan Wawrinka vs Taylor Fritz is Next
Next up, Wawrinka will face either American ninth seed Taylor Fritz.
As the sun set in Melbourne, Wawrinka’s determination and love for the game were on full display, reminding fans of the warrior spirit that has defined his career.
Having made his debut at Melbourne Park in 2006, Wawrinka has earned his place as one of the game’s greats, with a career spanning three Grand Slam titles and 16 ATP titles.
He now heads into his farewell season, hoping to add one last magical chapter to his illustrious career.
