Australian Open 2026: Stan Wawrinka, 40, and Marin Cilic take years back to advance in Melbourne

For Wawrinka, Monday’s victory was his first at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2024 and his first at the Australian Open in five years.

At 40 years and 296 days, Wawrinka is the second-oldest player to win a men’s singles match at Melbourne Park, bettered only by Ivo Karlovic (40 years and 326 days) in 2020.

But despite the curtain coming down on his “long journey” into professional tennis, Wawrinka made it clear he was not in Melbourne just to say goodbye.

“It’s my last year. The passion is still there, but I’m not young anymore,” he said.

“Today was amazing, it is very special for me to step onto the court and participate in a Grand Slam.

“This is why I train hard with my team every day during the off-season, to have the opportunity to compete with the best players in the world.

“I’m a competitor so I’ll always fight. Hopefully I’ll have another good match.”

World number 139 Wawrinka, having received vocal support throughout the match, celebrated by pointing to all four corners of the Show Court Arena to encourage more noise.

“Only at the end of the match, I started thinking a little and felt a lot of emotions about what could happen,” Wawrinka added.

“It was a great battle and I’m happy to win.”