Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka has been awarded a main-draw wild card for the 2026 Australian Open. The announcement carries significant weight, as the 40-year-old Swiss legend recently confirmed that the 2026 season will be his final year on the ATP Tour.
For Wawrinka, returning to the Australian Open is more than just a tournament entry; it is a return to the site of his first major breakthrough. In 2014, Wawrinka stunned the world by defeating Rafael Nadal to claim the title, proving that he could challenge the “Big Three” on the biggest stage.
“To have the chance to play the Australian Open at the beginning of my final year on tour means the world to me,” Wawrinka said following the announcement. “Winning here in 2014 remains an absolute highlight of my career. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to see the fans in Melbourne one last time.”
Currently ranked No. 156 in the world, Wawrinka required the invitation to bypass the qualifying rounds. Despite his ranking, his recent performance at the United Cup, where he battled through a three-hour marathon to defeat world No. 29 Arthur Rinderknech, proved that his signature one-handed backhand is still a formidable weapon.
Wawrinka makes his 20th appearance in the AO singles draw this year, eager to erase the memory of his 2025 exit. In his last outing here, the Swiss veteran pushed Lorenzo Sonego to four tight sets before eventually bowing out in the first round.
The Final Chapter: “One Last Push”
Wawrinka’s retirement announcement, shared via social media in late December 2025, sparked a wave of tributes from the tennis community.
?ONE LAST PUSH?
Every book needs an ending?
It’s time to write the final chapter of my career as a professional tennis player ?
2026 will be my last year on tourP perseverance
A ambition
S sacrifice
S success
I injuries
O obsession
N never give upD discipline
R… pic.twitter.com/CJlA8gCN8Y— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) December 19, 2025
Wawrinka’s Grand Slam Legacy:
| Year | Grand Slam | Opponent in Final | Score |
| 2014 | Australian Open | Rafael Nadal | 6–3, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 |
| 2015 | French Open | Novak Djokovic | 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2016 | US Open | Novak Djokovic | 6–7, 6–4, 7–5, 6–3 |
Still competitive
While many players use their final season as a “farewell tour” focusing on goodbyes, Wawrinka’s longtime coach, Magnus Norman, insists that Stan is focused purely on competition. The Swiss veteran has set a goal to break back into the Top 100 before hanging up his rackets. Stan the Man is in Melbourne to win matches, not just to wave to the crowd.
“He likes the hard work and the tough lifestyle, pushing his body to the physical and mental limits”, Norman commented.
Wawrinka joins Australians Jordan Thompson and Chris O’Connell as the final recipients of the men’s singles wild cards. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Sunday, January 18.