Stan Wawrinka’s legacy at Grand Slam tournaments is firmly established, with more than 200 matches played and three major titles to his name: the Australian Open in 2014, Roland Garros in 2015, and the US Open in 2016. A decade after those achievements, the Swiss veteran has announced that the current season will mark the end of his professional career, yet his farewell appearance at Melbourne Park continues to gather momentum.
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At 40 years of age, the former world No. 3 has advanced to the third round of the Australian Open, where he will face Taylor Fritz on Saturday in an attempt to prolong his stay in a tournament that has defined much of his career. Reflecting on his past success in Melbourne, Wawrinka emphasized the importance of focusing on the present rather than comparisons with earlier stages of his career, noting that competing in what he knows will be his final Australian Open makes the experience especially meaningful.
Reaching this stage has required significant physical and mental effort. In the opening round, Wawrinka overcame Laslo Djere in four sets after more than three hours of play. Two days later, he survived an even longer contest against Arthur Gea, prevailing in five sets following a four-hour-and-thirty-minute battle. These demanding matches, according to Wawrinka, highlight why Grand Slam formats have often suited his game, allowing him time to adapt tactically and rely on his physical endurance.
The Swiss player, currently ranked No. 139 in the world, had not reached the third round of a major since the 2023 US Open. He described the emotions surrounding this run as difficult to define, explaining that moments like these are what continue to motivate him to train intensively and compete at the highest level despite his age.
Wawrinka will now meet Fritz, ranked ninth in the world, in a rivalry that the Swiss leads narrowly, although their most recent encounter was won by the American. Elsewhere in the draw, another experienced Grand Slam champion, Marin Čilić, has also made a strong impression, advancing to the third round without dropping a set. The Croatian will next be tested by 12th seed Casper Ruud, who holds a commanding lead in their head-to-head record.
Saturday’s schedule also features the tournament’s most dominant recent champions. On Rod Laver Arena, second seed Jannik Sinner continues his pursuit of a third consecutive Australian Open title, facing American Eliot Spizzirri in a first-ever meeting. Sinner has progressed efficiently through the opening rounds, spending significantly less time on court than his upcoming opponent.
The night session will be opened by Novak Djokovic, a ten-time champion in Melbourne, who will take on Botic van de Zandschulp. Having already recorded his 100th match victory at the tournament, Djokovic seeks to further extend his record against a player who has previously defeated him on the ATP Tour.
In addition to these headline matches, several other third-round encounters are scheduled for Saturday, continuing a highly competitive phase of the season’s first Grand Slam.