MELBOURNE, Australia — Stan Wawrinka mentioned goodbye after his loss to Taylor Fritz, grabbed two beers from a courtside icebox, cracked a can with the Australian Open event director and saluted the gang.
“Cheers, everybody!” Wawrinka mentioned after shedding to No. 9 Fritz 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 within the third spherical on Saturday. “And thanks very a lot.”
Wawrinka, 40, gained the primary of his three Grand Slam titles in Australia in 2014.
With a four-and-a-half hour, five-set victory over 21-year-old French qualifier Arthur Geer within the second spherical, Wawrinka grew to become the primary man over 40 to succeed in the third spherical of a Grand Slam since Ken Rosewall on the 1978 Australian Open. It was additionally a file forty ninth five-set match in a serious.
“I do not know if that is the most effective statistic, however I am going to settle for it,” Wawrinka mentioned of turning 40.
Wawrinka mentioned earlier than the beginning of the 2026 season that this may be his final time on the Professional Circuit, however added that this was not only a farewell tour. He continues to work onerous and continues to supply outcomes.
After Wawrinka’s ultimate match at Melbourne Park, Australian Open event director Craig Tiley additionally joined the on-court ceremony and paid a small tribute on the stadium display screen at John Cain Area.
After the formalities, Wawrinka needed to say one final thing.
“Usually we discuss on courtroom after the ultimate. Right now shouldn’t be the ultimate so I will not make it too lengthy,” he mentioned. “Thanks for the wildcard invitation…that is our final likelihood to say goodbye to the folks of Melbourne.
“Sadly, this was my final time taking part in right here as a tennis participant. I’ve had a number of feelings over the past 20 years right here. I am unhappy to go away, however it’s been a terrific journey.”
He then added on Ablib: “That is going to be enjoyable. In case you do not thoughts, I would prefer to have a beer with Craig.”
Fritz superior to the spherical of 16 on Saturday in opposition to No. 5 ranked Lorenzo Musetti, who held off Tomas Machak 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in a 4-1/2-hour marathon at John Cain Area. The match was halted for about 10 minutes within the fifth set to shut the roof as warmth safety measures had been activated for the stadium.
Fritz, the 2024 US Open runner-up, loved the indoor situations and hit 30 aces and just one double fault in 4 units in opposition to Wawrinka.
“It is a actually, actually robust match, together with the surroundings,” Fritz mentioned of Wawrinka’s ultimate match in Australia. “I can’t fault anybody within the crowd cheering Stan on right here, it’s wonderful what he’s doing right here.
“I actually respect the eagerness and drive it takes to do what he’s doing this week.”
