Tears always well up! Wawrinka's farewell performance at the Australian Open shines brilliantly

Often, farewells are not an end but a sign of a grand final act. For 40-year-old Wawrinka, this year's Australian Open was exactly that. Just ten days before the main draw began, he received a last-minute wildcard from the tournament organizers, having announced three weeks earlier that he would officially retire after the 2026 season. As a former world No. 3 and the 2014 Australian Open men's singles champion, Wawrinka’s appearance in Melbourne was well deserved and fulfilled the hopes and emotions of his fans.

Image: Visual China Group

In the first round against Serbian player Djere, Wawrinka came back from losing the first set to claim victory. Amidst thunderous cheers at Kia Arena, he secured his first Grand Slam win since Wimbledon 2024. Two days later, he returned to the court to face qualifier Hetty in a grueling five-set battle, narrowly winning 4-6/6-3/3-6/7-5/7-6(10-3). In this "dialogue between generations" with nearly a twenty-year age gap, Wawrinka emerged victorious, marking his first time reaching the last 32 in a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open. At 40 years and 310 days old, he became the oldest player to reach the third round at the Australian Open since 1978. This marathon match lasted 4 hours and 33 minutes, making it the longest contest so far in this edition of the tournament.

“I’m really exhausted,” Wawrinka admitted in a post-match interview. “This is my last Australian Open, so I wanted to stay in as long as possible. I’m fully aware that my level isn’t what it used to be, whether in fitness or technique — it’s hard to compare to my peak years. Time doesn’t spare anyone, and that’s normal. But I still really enjoy the moment, constantly pushing my limits and striving to improve.”

Acknowledging he’s no longer at his peak yet still giving his all takes courage and passion. As one of the few active players with Grand Slam titles, Wawrinka won the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open consecutively from 2014 to 2016, becoming a defining figure of the big era. After 24 years on the tour, the Swiss star announced late last year that the 2026 season would be his final curtain call. Floods of well-wishes and praise followed, but he emphasized this won’t be just a farewell tour — he intends to fight hard for every possible win.

“This won’t simply be a goodbye year,” Wawrinka said. “I’m an athlete, and I still want to compete against the best, aiming to win as many matches as possible. I even have the goal of returning to the top 100 at age 40. Looking back, my achievements have already exceeded my youthful dreams. I feel I’ve given my all; pushing my limits has always been my goal, and that remains true in my final year.”

On the court, Wawrinka’s attire also reflected his legendary career. YONEX specially designed his outfit for this Australian Open with two sentimental details: the red-and-white checkered collar pays tribute to the plaid shorts he wore when winning the 2015 French Open; on the back, his iconic one-handed backhand silhouette is printed, honoring one of the most lethal single-handed backhand techniques of this era. When asked about the jersey design after the match, Wawrinka openly said, “People remember those shorts because I won the French Open wearing them, so they keep mentioning it. I’m really happy with this outfit — it’s fantastic and very comfortable.”

Wearing ECLIPSION series shoes in navy blue, with bright blue accents on the tongue and sole matching his jersey, Wawrinka’s olive green PERCEPT tennis racket also features a fresh color scheme. This control-oriented racket offers users precision as if hitting the ball with their palm.

With Wawrinka reaching the last 32 at the Australian Open for the 12th time, his farewell performance at Melbourne Park continues. His third-round opponent will be the tournament’s 9th seed, Fritz. After tough battles, Wawrinka is undaunted by strong opponents: “I’m confident in my fitness and can handle long matches. Maintaining my competitive level isn’t a problem for me.” Burning with fighting spirit and giving his all, Wawrinka is delivering us his best farewell show — a prelude to a departure that may bloom most brilliantly.

(Text and editing by Wang Fei)