“The Passion is Still Intact”: Stan Wawrinka secures emotional Final Melbourne win
Forty-year-old 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka turned back the clock to secure his first Melbourne win in five years, defeating Laslo Djere in a four-set thriller to launch his emotional final professional season.
Stan Wawrinka, Australian Open 2026 | © Zuma / PsNewz
Stan Wawrinka rolled back the years on Monday at Melbourne Park to secure a victory that felt like a bridge between eras. The forty year old Swiss veteran, competing in what he has confirmed will be his final professional season on tour, defeated Serbia’s Laslo Djere in a grueling four set encounter on Kia Arena.
The final scoreline of 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) signaled more than just a place in the second round; it marked Wawrinka’s first match win at the Australian Open since 2021 and his first victory at any Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2024. Despite the physical toll of his long career and multiple surgeries, the man known as “Stanimal” showed that his trademark power and competitive grit remain sharp enough to take down younger opponents in the summer heat.
In his post match interview on court, Wawrinka was visibly moved by the reception from the Australian fans. When asked how he managed to continue winning at forty years old, he gestured to the stands and said, “Because of you guys. 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. Thank you so much.”
Wawrinka : ” Like you said it’s my last time…”
Addressing the fact that this is his final appearance at the tournament, he told the crowd, “yeah it is my last year. I think it’s been too long that I’m coming back . But the passion is still intact. I’m not young any more. So I need to be careful. Today was amazing. So special for me to enter the court at a Grand Slam. There’s a reason we practice hard with my team there every day, to have a chance to compete with the best players in the world. I don’t want to say too much, but guys it’s been amazing that you keep going. I’m so happy I won. I have a chance to play one more here. Like you said it’s my last time… I’m trying to enjoy. But I’m trying to win and compete. I’m a competitor. I’m always going to fight. Hopefully I’m gonna play another good match.”
In his press conference later that evening, Wawrinka expanded on his physical state, noting that his preparation at the United Cup earlier this month had given him the confidence to survive long matches in warm conditions.
“Yeah I’ve been working really hard to stay in shape, to push myself. I think also the week in United Cup helped me a lot because I played over three hours match back to back, plus a lot of tennis on the court, high level. It got me a lot of confidence into what I’m able to do. But at the end I’m still 40 years old and you never know what happen. But you don’t have to think too much in advance, too much into how long is going to be the match or is it going to be five sets or no. No, you have to do the best with what you can in the moment. Today was great.”
“not physical and tennis-wise as I was before.”
When asked if he still felt nerves at this stage of his career, Wawrinka smiled and replied, “Yeah, almost all match (smiling). No, of course, I’m always nervous. That’s always been positive for me. That’s mean I really care. That’s mean I really want to do well. I’m really pushing myself. That’s when you need to be really disciplined with yourself, with your brain, with what you have to do during the match. I think those match also a bit longer in five set always help me to relax, to be a bit more focused, to move a bit better. That was the case today. I think I start playing better second, third and fourth sets.”
Comparing his current level to his 2014 title run, he offered a characteristically honest assessment: “I wish it would feel the same, the same power and everything (smiling). No, I don’t try to feel the same as 10 years or more ago. I always been honest with myself, knowing where I am, what’s my ability, what I can do, what I can still achieve, the way I can still play. I try to use that on court every matches. I know I’m not as good as I was before. I know I’m not physical and tennis-wise as I was before. That’s normal.”
“I’m getting old. But I’m still happy with what I’m doing, always trying to push my own limit, always trying to be better. I’m happy that I had the chance to win match in slams here.”
