Stan Wawrinka, aged 40, makes history by breaking a 48-year drought and reaching the third round of the 2026 Australian Open By Bruna
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Stan Wawrinka, 40-year-old Swiss tennis player, beat Frenchman Arthur Gea, 21 years old, 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 and 7-6(10-3) this Thursday in Melbourne. The match, played at Kia Arena, lasted four hours and 33 minutes and guaranteed the veteran a place in the third round of Aberto of Austrália 2026. With the result, Wawrinka became the first player aged 40 or over to reach this stage in an
The clash highlighted the experience of the three-time Majors champion against the youth of the French qualifier. Wawrinka hit 63 match winners, including 13 signature backhands, and extended his personal best in five-set matches at Grand Slam tournaments. The victory also marked their first passage to the third round in Melbourne since 2020.
The Swiss, currently 139th in the ranking and invited by the organization, will next face the American Taylor Fritz, ninth seed. Wawrinka leads the direct confrontation 2-1, although the two have not faced each other since 2023. The tennis player admitted to being exhausted after the battle, but celebrated the support of the local fans.
Intense match details
The match started with Gea dominating the first set 6-4, taking advantage of the initial aggression to pressure the Swiss’ serve. Wawrinka responded in the second set, breaking the Frenchman’s serve and finishing 6-3 with precise shots from the bottom of the court.
The third set saw Gea regain control, winning 6-3 after saving important points. In the fourth set, Wawrinka saved crucial break points and closed at 7-5, forcing the decisive tiebreak in the fifth set.
In the super tiebreak, the Swiss accelerated and won 10-3, sealing the victory amid intense applause from Kia Arena. The four hour and 33 minute duration tested the physical limits of both players.
Records expanded by the Swiss
Wawrinka extended his own record by playing his 50th five-set match in Grand Slams. Ele now holds the most games in this format on Era Aberta, surpassing previous marks from other veterans.
The victory also positioned him as the oldest tennis player to advance to the third round of an Major since Ken Rosewall, 48 years ago. Esse feat reinforces the Swiss’ longevity on the professional circuit.
Recent Veteran Preparation
Before the tournament, Wawrinka represented Suíça at United Cup, where they achieved mixed results. Ele beat the French Arthur Rinderknech, but suffered defeats against the Italians, Argentines, Belgians and Poles.
In the first round of Aberto of Austrália, the Swiss overcame Laslo Djere in four sets, after three hours and 20 minutes of play. Essa sequence demonstrated his ability to recover on fast courts.
Next challenge against Fritz
Taylor Fritz advanced with a straight sets victory over Vit Kopriva in the same round. The American, ninth seed, has a powerful serve and an aggressive baseline game.
Wawrinka maintains an advantage in the head-to-head record, with two wins in three games. The next duel will take place on Saturday, at a time to be defined in Melbourne.
The Swiss will prioritize physical recovery before the clash. Ele mentioned the need for rest after prolonged effort against Gea.
Consolidated career in Majors
Wawrinka won three Grand Slam titles throughout his career: Aberto from Austrália in 2014, Roland Garros in 2015 and US Open in 2016.
The Swiss reached third place in the world rankings at his peak. Sua participation in Aberto of Austrália 2026 marks the 20th appearance in the tournament.
- Titles in Grand Slam: Aberto from Austrália (2014), Roland Garros (2015), US
- Five-set matches at Majors: 50 (record at Era Aberta)
- Wins in Melbourne: advance to the third round for the first time since 2020
Post-game reactions in the arena
Wawrinka thanked the fans for their support at Kia Arena, packed with around 5,000 spectators. Muitos displayed posters with messages of encouragement to the veteran.
He declared that this is his last Aberto of Austrália and that he intends to make the most of it. The tennis player joked about deserving a beer after the physical exhaustion.
“I’m very happy, but I don’t know how I’m going to recover,” said the Swiss in an on-court interview. The crowd’s energy helped propel him through the decisive moments.
Tournament context in Melbourne
The Aberto of Austrália 2026 continues with highlights in other keys. Jogadores like Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner advanced without difficulty in previous rounds.
Local Australians also recorded positive results in parallel matches. The tournament maintains a high level of competition on the Melbourne Park courts.
French opponent profile
Arthur Gea, 21 years old, entered the tournament via qualifying and showed potential in his debut in the Major main draws. The Frenchman forced Wawrinka to the limit on several occasions.
Despite the loss, Gea gained valuable experience against a three-time champion from Grand Slam. Sua aggressiveness at the beginning of the match complicated the Swiss’ game.
The young man has accumulated positive results in recent challengers. Austrália’s participation in Aberto represents a milestone in its rise in the rankings.
Legacy of longevity in tennis
Wawrinka exemplifies the evolution of fitness in professional tennis. Atletas older people are able to maintain high-level competitiveness thanks to advances in training and recovery.
His one-handed backhand remains one of the most admired weapons on the tour. The move generated 13 decisive winners in the match against Gea.
The Swiss’s trajectory inspires tennis players who seek to prolong their careers. Ele continues to compete with determination even outside the top 100.
Technical highlights of the clash
Wawrinka converted important points in the fourth and fifth sets, saving crucial breaks. Sua variation in strokes destabilized Gea’s pace throughout the marathon.
The Swiss registered 63 winning balls in total, demonstrating precision in fast court conditions. Gea responded with resistance, but gave in in the final tiebreak.
- Wawrinka winning balls: 63
- Winning backhands: 13
- Total duration: 4 hours and 33 minutes
- Approximate audience: 5 thousand at Kia Arena
Outlook for the third round
The confrontation against Fritz will require new physical effort from the Swiss. The American shows consistency in serves and returns.
Wawrinka plans to focus on recovery in the coming days. Ele highlighted the importance of managing burnout in two-week tournaments.
The breakthrough represents one of the most significant moments of his final season on Melbourne. The tennis player seeks to extend his campaign as long as possible.
