All good things must come to an end.
For Stan Wawrinka, that end is now in sight, with the Australian Open 2014 champion set to make “one final push” in 2026 before hanging up his racquet.
MORE: All the results from Australian Open 2026
The 40-year-old Swiss has been awarded the final wildcard into AO26, marking a 20th singles appearance at Melbourne Park.
While Wawrinka never sustained the week-in, week-out dominance of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic during the Big 3’s golden era, he was feared by the sport’s elite - the rare opponent capable of rising to their level without warning.
Nowhere was that version of Wawrinka seen more often, or more devastatingly, than in Melbourne, where fans came to know him simply as the “Stanimal.”
From 2013 to 2019, Wawrinka faced Djokovic - at the very peak of his powers - seven times at Grand Slams, taking at least two sets off the 24-time major champion on each occasion.
Their 2013–2015 trilogy were all five-set epics. The most famous came at Australian Open 2014 in the quarterfinal, when Wawrinka overcame Djokovic 2-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 9-7.
He backed it up with a four-set semifinal victory over Tomas Berdych before completing his Melbourne masterpiece by defeating then world No.1 Rafael Nadal in four sets to claim his first Grand Slam title.
For Wawrinka, the belief that he could climb the sport’s highest mountains had been forged a year earlier. In the fourth round of Australian Open 2013, he pushed Djokovic for more than five hours, eventually falling 1-6 7-5 6-4 6-7(5) 12-10 - a defeat that proved transformative.
READ: AO wildcards for Wawrinka, Thompson, O'Connell
“It was a really tough loss, but that was the first time that something clicked in me mentally,” Wawrinka told The Sit Down.
“I started to believe that I was going to be able to beat them. That I was going to be able to do it again, and again - and that’s what happened.”
Wawrinka went on to reach a career-high ranking of world No.3 and capture 16 ATP titles, including Grand Slam triumphs over Djokovic at Roland Garros in 2015 and the US Open in 2016, as well as an Olympic gold medal in doubles alongside Roger Federer.
“It’s always complicated to choose one favourite memory. For me, it’s the journey. I’m super lucky I achieved way more than I could dream of when I started playing tennis… for more than twenty years, I really enjoyed the journey,” he reflected.
Like Robert De Niro appearing in a Scorsese film, Wawrinka’s intimidating one-handed backhand always played the leading role in his catalogue of classic matches.
Whether rolled cross-court with as much heavy topspin as the game’s best forehands, or struck flat and vicious down the line, the shot was as menacing as it was graceful; a weapon so revered that both Djokovic and John McEnroe have hailed it as one of the greatest shots the sport has ever seen.
“I think there will always be top players with one-handed backhands,” Wawrinka said. “For me, it’s my favourite shot to watch. The one I really love right now is Musetti’s backhand. He has a beautiful game.”
French farewell
Australian Open 2026 also marks a goodbye for Gael Monfils. While the Frenchman never reached the sustained heights of Wawrinka, he electrified Melbourne Park from the moment he captured the Australian Open 2004 boys' title.
A two-time quarterfinalist in Melbourne, Monfils brought box office to centre court. His athleticism left crowds gasping – from acrobatic recoveries and cat-like reflexes to full-stretch dives and theatrical tweeners - all delivered with an authentic joy that spilled into post-match dances and made him one of the tournament’s most beloved entertainers.
Anything is possible when Monfils takes the court. Last year, the then 38-year-old became the oldest man to win an ATP Tour title in Auckland, before defeating fourth seed Taylor Fritz to reach his sixth fourth-round appearance at the Australian Open.
IN PICTURES: Monfils a man for the ages at Melbourne Park
READ: Monfils, nearing 39, sets records at Roland Garros
“When you love something so much, it never feels like a good time to say goodbye,” Monfils wrote in his retirement announcement to fans.
“But 40 will be the right time for me. Of course, winning one more title before I’m done would be truly incredible. Truthfully though, my only real goal for the year ahead is simple. To enjoy every minute, and to play each match like it’s my last.”
Like Wawrinka, the former world No.6 will bow out with 13 ATP titles and 20 Australian Open main-draw appearances, having competed in every edition since his 2004 junior boys’ title, except for 2008 and 2023.
Goodbye for Sorana
And as two men say goodbye, Australian Open 2026 will also witness the final Melbourne campaign of one of the WTA’s most enduring competitors: Romania’s Sonia Cirstea.
Cirstea reached the Australian Open fourth round in 2017 and 2022. The former world No.21 has collected three singles and six doubles titles across her 20-year career.
“I never expected to compete for such a long time, but the last couple of years have been my happiest on court and they just kept me going,” said the 35-year-old.
“I adore tennis and I am very fortunate and grateful for everything it has given me and taught me.
“I still have lots of things I want to improve. I have goals and ambitions, so I hope to achieve some of them next year and finish this wonderful career on a high note and on my terms.”
Aussie fans will be forever in debt to Wawrinka, Monfils and Cirstea for the brilliance they brought to Melbourne Park across three decades.
In 2026, all three will step onto the court here for a final time, indelible figures of one of the greatest eras in tennis history.