Wawrinka Earns Wildcard, Teeing Up a Possible Final Australian Open

Wildcard for Wawrinka signals a possible final Australian Open

Organizers of the Australian Open announced on Friday that Swiss star Stan Wawrinka will receive a wildcard into the main draw of the season's first Grand Slam.

Speaking from Sydney, where he will lead Switzerland into a Davis Cup semi-final against Belgium tomorrow, Wawrinka called it amazing and said he is grateful for the invitation.

He added thanks to Tennis Australia and Craig Tiley for the splendid chance, noting many cherished memories in Melbourne and saying returning to the site where he won his first Grand Slam remains special.

Wawrinka has a strong Australian Open record, with 43 wins against 18 losses. In 2014 he captured his first major title at Melbourne Park, defeating Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on the way to the crown.

This will be his 20th AO singles appearance. He also lost in the first round last year to Lorenzo Sonego in a compelling four-set match.

Now 40, the veteran is currently ranked 156 in the world and has missed only one Australian Open since 2006, reaching at least the quarterfinals on five occasions. He recently announced 2026 will be his final year on the ATP tour.

Fans in Melbourne and around the world will be watching, hoping for one more glorious chapter from a player who never loses his smile, even when he’s chasing a ball in four sets.

Punchline 1: If tennis is chess, Wawrinka just checked mate with a wildcard.

Punchline 2: 40 may be the new 20 in tennis, but Melbourne still wants one last encore before the court gets quiet.