Stan Wawrinka Bows Out of Australian Open at 40 in Emotional Farewell
40-year-old Stan Wawrinka exits Australian Open in third round after battling loss to Taylor Fritz in his farewell appearance.
Swiss tennis veteran Stan Wawrinka, 40, played a heroic farewell at the Australian Open on Saturday, bowing out in the third round after a battling 7-6(7/5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 defeat to ninth-seeded American Taylor Fritz. The former champion, making his last appearance at Melbourne Park, was met with rapturous support from fans throughout the match.
The opening set was tightly contested, with both players exchanging thunderous forehands in a tiebreak. With the roof closed at John Cain Arena due to the heat, Fritz edged through to claim the first set, but Wawrinka quickly responded in the second, racing to a 3-0 lead and ultimately taking the set 6-2. This made him the first player aged 40 or above to reach the men’s third round at a Grand Slam since Ken Rosewall in 1978.
Fritz regrouped in the third set, breaking Wawrinka’s serve in the seventh game and establishing control. Despite Wawrinka’s resilience and efforts to stay in contention, Fritz maintained his momentum and eventually sealed the victory in the fourth set, advancing to face fifth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti in the round of 16.
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Wawrinka, currently ranked 139 in the world, has enjoyed a remarkable career, peaking at world No. 3 in 2014. He captured 16 ATP titles, including three Grand Slam singles championships: the Australian Open in 2014, the French Open in 2015, and the US Open in 2016. His victories came during the peak era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, making his achievements all the more notable.
The Swiss star also enjoyed success in doubles, winning Olympic gold alongside Federer at Beijing in 2008. Despite injuries and a decline in ranking, Wawrinka’s persistence and fighting spirit have remained hallmarks of his career, earning him admiration from fans and fellow players alike.
As Wawrinka steps away from competitive tennis, his legacy as a resilient and talented champion is cemented. While his Melbourne journey ends, the memories of his thunderous backhands, Grand Slam triumphs, and remarkable comebacks will continue to inspire tennis fans worldwide.
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