2014 champion Stan Wawrinka still hasn’t been given an Australian Open wild card.
The Swiss legend will retire at the end of the season, but that’s not to say he hasn’t got a lot left to give.
Impressing at the United Cup, Wawrinka beat Arthur Rinderknech and pushed Flavio Cobolli close as Switzerland qualified for the quarterfinals.
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He will want to stay focused on the task at hand, but surely the lack of a wild card for Australia is playing on Wawrinka’s mind…
During his latest United Cup press conference, he was asked if he is confident that tournament organisers will give him an Australian Open wild card.
Stan Wawrinka says he doesn’t know if he will receive a wild card
The three-time Grand Slam champion confessed that he doesn’t know what is happening regarding the wild card situation.
“I don’t know, actually,” said Wawrinka.
“For me, I’m taking week after week.
“When I receive good news like I did for playing here and the wild card for Auckland, I’m super happy.
“I’m super happy when I receive one.
“When I don’t receive, that’s all good, I’m going to go for the next tournament.”
Wawrinka’s current ranking (157) isn’t strong enough for him to directly qualify for ATP events.
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Therefore, he needs tournament organisers to award him a wild card; otherwise, he will be unable to play.
Players often receive wild cards to big tournaments in their last year on tour, especially if they have won the event previously.
That makes the Australian Open’s decision, or lack thereof, all the more confusing.
While Wawrinka remains level-headed as he waits for news, his Swiss teammates weren’t afraid to make their feelings heard.
Belinda Bencic calls out Australian Open tournament organisers
After Wawrinka shared his thoughts, reporters asked the other members of the Swiss United Cup squad if they thought he deserved an Australian Open wild card.
“It’s not even a question,” said Belinda Bencic.
“I don’t know what they’re waiting for!”
Luca Castelnuovo, the world number 416, agreed.
“It’s a no-brainer,” he said.
It remains to be seen if Wawrinka will be given a wild card, but just how well has he performed at the Australian Open over the years?
Stan Wawrinka’s Australian Open record
The 40-year-old has played 20 Australian Open tournaments throughout his career.
He enjoyed the majority of his success at the event between 2014 and 2017, winning one title and reaching a further two semifinals.
| Grand Slam | Titles | Finals | Semifinals | Quarterfinals | Win % |
| Australian Open | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 70% |
| French Open | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 71% |
| Wimbledon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 56% |
| US Open | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 74% |
It is, however, important to note that Wawrinka last won a match at the Australian Open 1,791 days ago, in 2021.
Since then, the Swiss icon has suffered four consecutive defeats.
Stan Wawrinka’s Australian Open losing streak
- 2021 Australian Open 2R [LOSS] vs Marton Fucsovics, 5-7, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7
- 2023 Australian Open 1R [LOSS] vs Alex Molcan, 7-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7, 4-6
- 2024 Australian Open 1R [LOSS] vs Adrian Mannarino, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 0-6
- 2025 Australian Open 1R [LOSS] vs Lorenzo Sonego, 4-6, 7-5, 5-7, 5-7
At first glance, you may think Craig Tiley and the Australian Open would be justified in their decision, should they choose not to give Wawrinka a wild card.
But, looking at the scorelines, it’s clear that Wawrinka is still competitive, only losing in a fifth and deciding set on three of his last four visits to Melbourne.
Wawrinka has surely done enough to deserve a spot in the 128-man field, but for now, all he can do is focus on the United Cup.
If he can pick up another win in the quarterfinals, he may just force Tiley’s hand…
Who will Switzerland play in the United Cup quarterfinals?
Qualifying for their first-ever United Cup quarterfinal, Switzerland will play the winner of Group E.
Group E Standings
| Rank | Team | Ties W-L | Matches W-L | Sets W-L | Games W-L |
| 1 | Greece | 1-0 | 3-0 | 6-0 (100%) | 36-18 (67%) |
| 2 | Great Britain | 1-0 | 2-1 | 4-3 (57%) | 32-33 (49%) |
| 3 | Japan | 0-2 | 1-5 | 3-10 (23%) | 51-68 (43%) |
Having both beaten Japan, Greece and Great Britain will seek to clinch the top spot when they meet on Monday, January 5.
Therefore, Wawrinka will likely play either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Billy Harris in the quarterfinals.
While a first-time matchup between the Swiss star and Harris would be interesting, tennis fans would undoubtedly prefer to see Wawrinka and Tsitsipas face off in a battle of the one-handed backhands.
It remains to be seen who Wawrinka will play, but you certainly won’t want to miss it…
Switzerland will play their quarterfinal match on Wednesday, January 7.
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