Stan Wawrinka claimed his first singles victory at the Australian Open in five years to kick-start his final Melbourne campaign.
The Swiss, who will retire at the end of the 2026 season, came back from a set down to defeat Laslo Djere, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6.
Wawrinka‘s last win at the Australian Open before beating Djere came in 2021, when he overcame Pedro Sousa to reach the second round.
With his triumph over Djere, he is now the second-oldest player to win a men’s singles match at the tournament, aged 40 years and 296 days.
After the match, Wawrinka said he was ‘so happy’ to have the chance to play for one more year on the tour.
Stan Wawrinka reacts to his opening win at the Australian Open
In his on-court interview, the three-time major champion said: “It’s been a long journey, it’s been amazing so much, so many memories here.
“It’s been incredible, the only reason I come back, it’s because of the love you give me. It was amazing, so thank you so much.
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“It is my last year. I feel it’s been too long that I’m coming back, but the passion is still in tact, like you said, I’m not young anymore so I need that to be careful.
“But that was amazing. It’s so special for me to enter a court, to enter at Grand Slam. That’s the reason we practice hard with my team there, every off-season, every day. To have a chance to compete with the best players in the world.
“I’m so happy that I have a chance to play one more year. I’m trying to enjoy, but in the same time, I’m trying to compete to win, I’m a competitor, so I’m always gonna fight, and hopefully I’m gonna play a good match.”
Stan Wawrinka analyses his own performance in Melbourne
Prior to their match at this year’s Australian Open, Djere had beaten Wawrinka in Belgrade during the 2024 season.
“He’s a great player,” said Wawrinka of his opponent. “Last time he beat me, so I expected a tough match today.
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“But I’m happy with the discipline I put on myself to keep staying with him, to keep fighting, trying to be a bit more aggressive, trying to find a way to move a little bit better, to put him under pressure.
“Because he was putting a lot of pressure on me, but again, it’s a big battle. I’m happy to have won.”
When asked how much the crowd helped, Wawrinka said: “A lot, it’s so much energy, so much positive energy, the support over there.”
Wawrinka is a former champion at the Australian Open, having emerged victorious at the event in 2014 to secure his first Grand Slam title.
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