As he gears up to start the last season of his extraordinary professional tennis career, Stan Wawrinka has received a wildcard entry into the Australian Open. In December, the Swiss star and three-time Grand Slam champion announced that 2026 would mark his final year on the ATP Tour, concluding a career characterized by resilience, power, and unforgettable victories. Wawrinka, at the age of 40, is still regarded as one of the most respected figures in men’s tennis. He has won 16 ATP titles throughout his career, with his latest victory at the Geneva Open in 2017. He is currently ranked 156th in the world.
Melbourne Park: A Unique Venue in Wawrinka’s Legacy
For Wawrinka, the Australian Open is imbued with personal significance, as it was in Melbourne that he won his first Grand Slam title in 2014. The historic victory not only marked his arrival among tennis’s elite but also set the stage for further major successes at the French Open and US Open. Wawrinka said, “Winning my first Grand Slam title at the 2014 Australian Open is a definitive career highlight for me, so I’m immensely thankful to be awarded this wildcard.”
“It means everything to me that I have the opportunity to compete at the Australian Open at the start of my last year on tour.”
The wildcard guarantees that fans will get another chance to watch the Swiss veteran compete on one of tennis’s biggest stages.
Kyrgios Misses Out on Men’s Singles Due to Ongoing Fitness Concerns
Unlike Wawrinka, who is included, Australian crowd favourite Nick Kyrgios will not be part of the men’s singles draw at his home Grand Slam. The ex-Wimbledon finalist has had a hard time with injuries over the past few seasons and has fallen to 670th place in the world rankings.
The 30-year-old explained that, although he has returned to training and feels fit, he is not yet ready for the physical demands of five-set singles matches at Grand Slam level.
‘I’d Rather Give My Spot to Someone Ready’
Kyrgios concluded it would be better to withdraw from singles competition and give another player the chance to compete after talking with Tennis Australia.
Kyrgios posted on social media, “I’ve made the call to focus on doubles for this year’s AO after some good conversations with Tennis Australia.”
“I’m fit and back on the court, but I’m not quite prepared to play the distance just yet because five-setters are a different animal. I would prefer to give my slot to someone who is prepared to make the most of their time since this tournament is really important to me.”
Instead, Kyrgios will compete in the men’s doubles competition, where he and fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis won the championship in 2022. Additionally, he affirmed that a complete return to singles competition is still his long-term objective.
“It’s all building blocks and I’ll be back next year and pumped to compete,” he stated.
