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Three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka only wanted one thing after playing the final match of his career at the Australian Open on Saturday: a beer.
Wawrinka, who will retire at the end of the 2026 season, lost to No. 9 seed Taylor Fritz 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the third round. At age 40, he became the first man aged 40 or older to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Ken Rosewall at the 1978 Australian Open.
After the match ended, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley joined Wawrinka on court for a ceremony and small tribute on the John Cain Arena screen. After the ceremony, Wawrinka approached the microphone.
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Stan Wawrinka holds a beer after his third round loss to Taylor Fritz at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, on January 24, 2026. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP Photo)
“Normally we talk on the court after a final. Today is not a final, so I won’t go into much detail,” he said. “Thank you for the wildcard invitation… to have one last chance to say goodbye to the people of Melbourne.
“Unfortunately, it was my last time as a tennis player here. I’ve had so many emotions here over the last 20 years. I’m sad to leave, but it’s been an incredible journey.”
Wawrinka, who won the first of his three Grand Slam titles in Australia in 2014, wanted to spend his final moments on the court with a beer.
BEN SHELTON GIVES POVING PATRIOTIC MESSAGE AFTER AUSTRALIAN OPEN VICTORY
Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland gestures with fans as he walks onto court for his third-round match against Taylor Fritz of the USA at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP Photo)
“Now I can enjoy myself. If you don’t mind, I’d like to share a beer with Craig.”
Fritz said what the 40-year-old was doing was amazing.
“Obviously it’s a very, very difficult match, and the atmosphere too,” Fritz said of Wawrinka’s Australian final. “I can’t blame anyone in the crowd for rooting for Stan here. It’s amazing what he’s doing here.
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Spectators cheer on Stan Wawrinka during his third round match against Taylor Fritz at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP Photo)
“I have a lot of respect for the passion and drive it takes to do what he’s doing this week.”
