Stan Wawrinka, the 40‑year‑old Swiss veteran, captured his first Australian Open match win in five years by defeating Serbia’s Laslo Djere 5‑7, 6‑3, 6‑4, 7‑6 (4). The four‑set victory makes him the second‑oldest player to win a singles match at Melbourne Park and pushes him to world No. 139 as he prepares for his final ATP season.
Career Highlights
Born in 1985, Wawrinka burst onto the tour in 2002 and quickly built a résumé that includes three Grand Slam titles, an Olympic gold medal in doubles, and a reputation for a thunderous one‑handed backhand.
Grand Slam Success
- Australian Open 2014 – First major crown
- French Open 2015 – Dominated on clay
- US Open 2016 – Completed his career Grand Slam
Injuries sidelined him from 2017 onward, but he returned in 2020 and even recorded a surprise Wimbledon third‑round win in 2024 before this Melbourne triumph.
Melbourne Showdown
Djere, a hungry 27‑year‑old, took the opening set 7‑5 by exploiting Wawrinka’s occasional serve lapses. The Swiss legend responded with a tactical shift, mixing deeper slices with his heavy topspin forehand, and broke early in the second set to claim it 6‑3.
The third set showcased his fitness, as he chased down long rallies and forced errors to win 6‑4. In a tense fourth‑set tiebreak, the crowd roared while Wawrinka held his nerve, sealing the match with a 7‑4 tiebreak win.
Implications for Modern Tennis
Wawrinka’s victory highlights the growing longevity of elite players thanks to advances in sports science, nutrition, and recovery. Legends such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have already proved that experience can rival youthful explosiveness, and Wawrinka adds another compelling example.
For the ATP, his story reinforces the marketability of veteran athletes, appealing to older fans while inspiring the next generation.
Future Outlook
Next up, Wawrinka faces a rising Asian star in the second round. Whether this win marks a brief flash or the start of a sustained late‑career surge, his Melbourne performance stands as a testament to resilience and the timeless appeal of tennis.
