Swiss tennis legend Stan Wawrinka has played his final match at the Australian Open, bowing out in an emotional farewell after a hard-fought four-set defeat to ninth seed Taylor Fritz. The 40-year-old veteran, who had announced this season would be his last on tour, brought his remarkable Melbourne Park career to a close with a 7-6(5) 2-6 6-4 6-4 loss in just under three hours of gripping action.
A Nostalgic Farewell at Melbourne Park
Wawrinka, competing on a wildcard entry, made the most of his final appearance by winning two marathon matches earlier in the tournament and delighting fans with his magical one-handed backhand in fine touch. The 2014 champion leaves with an impressive 45-19 win-loss record across a staggering 20 Australian Open tournaments, cementing his legacy as one of the event's most beloved competitors.
Emotional Scenes on Court
After the match, tournament director Craig Tiley presented Wawrinka with a special gift as a tribute video played on the big screen, celebrating his two-decade journey at Melbourne Park. The Swiss veteran became visibly emotional when addressing the packed crowd that had supported him throughout his career.
"Normally you talk on court after a final, but today is not a final," Wawrinka began. "First of all thank you to Craig for the wildcard invitation, not the first time. For me it was a lot of emotion when you called me to give me this opportunity for one last chance to say goodbye to the people here in Melbourne."
He continued with heartfelt appreciation: "It was my last time as a tennis player, unfortunately. First of all thank you to my team and my family always here supporting me. So many emotions here last 20 years because of you guys. Been an amazing journey. I won my first grand slam here. I always enjoy being back and always had so much support."
Match Highlights and Turning Points
In scorching Melbourne heat, Wawrinka had his adoring fans dreaming of an upset when he broke the lethal Fritz serve twice on his way to claiming the second set and leveling the match. The crowd erupted as the veteran showed flashes of his championship form, but the momentum shifted dramatically in the third set.
The big-serving American bounced back in fine fashion, securing the only break of the third set to take control of the match. While Fritz appeared to wince at times with an apparent abdominal issue, it was Wawrinka who required a medical timeout between sets. Suddenly the 40-year-old looked fatigued and struggled to move as freely as before.
Fritz capitalized on the situation, firing powerful serves and groundstrokes to secure an early break in the fourth set that all but ended Wawrinka's hopes. Despite being in visible discomfort, the Swiss champion went down fighting, giving the crowd one final cheer with a superb backhand winner in the last game.
A Toast to the Fans
In a touching moment that captured his connection with Australian fans, Wawrinka explained: "The reason why I continued to play was because of you. I'm sad to leave, but it's an amazing journey. All those years ... I saw you guys enjoying the tennis, supporting us, drinking, and now I can enjoy ... so if you don't mind I'd like to cheers a beer with Craig."
True to his word, Wawrinka grabbed two cans of beer and raised a toast to the crowd, saying: "Cheers everyone, thank you so much" in a fitting conclusion to his Australian Open career.
What's Next for the Players
Taylor Fritz advances to the round of 16 where he will face fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti on Monday, continuing his quest for Australian Open glory. For Wawrinka, this marks the end of an era at Melbourne Park, where he created countless memories and inspired tennis fans worldwide with his powerful game and fighting spirit.
The Swiss star's departure leaves a significant void in the tournament, but his legacy as a three-time Grand Slam champion and Australian Open favorite will endure for years to come. His emotional farewell serves as a reminder of the deep connections athletes can forge with tournaments and fans over decades of competition.
