Stan Wawrinka’s performances at the United Cup earned him a wild card to his last-ever Australian Open.
The Swiss veteran announced 2026 would be his last year in professional tennis after over two decades on the ATP Tour.
Wawrinka’s Australian Open wild card was in doubt, but he was finally given one of the last remaining spots for the event he won in 2014.
Now the star’s entry into the Australian Open is guaranteed, Wawrinka is set to make tournament history in Melbourne.
Stan Wawrinka is the oldest Australian Open wild card entry ever
Wawrinka will officially be the oldest male wild card entry at the Australian Open in Open Era history, according to OptaAce.
The Swiss star will not only be the oldest wild card entry in the Open Era Australian Open history, but he will also be one of the oldest players ever to play the event.
What is your best memory of Stan Wawrinka?
Australian legend Ken Rosewall is the oldest male player to ever play the Australian Open main draw, when he was 44 years 10 months in 1978.
In more recent history, Iva Karlovic played the tournament at a slightly younger age than Wawrinka in 2020.
The Croatian giant was 40 years and 10 months when he beat Vasek Pospisil in straight sets to reach the second round.
As well as being the oldest wild card entry ever, Wawrinka will also be the second oldest male star to play the Australian Open in Open Era history.
The women’s draw at the Australian Open will also feature a record breaker
Wawrinka will not be the only player to break an age-related record at the Australian Open this season, as Venus Williams is also set to become the oldest woman in Open Era history to play the event.
Williams has received a wild card for the event, following her stints at the ASB Classic and the Hobart International.
What is your bold prediction for the 2026 tennis season?
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The American icon is yet to win a match this season, but she has already been granted entry into the Melbourne event.
At 45 years old, no other player has entered the tournament at an older age than the multi-time Grand Slam champion.
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