Stan Wawrinka’s lengthy Australian Open career came to an end on Saturday night, but not before the Swiss battled Taylor Fritz hard over four sets.
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Fritz beat Wawrinka 7-6(5) 2-6 6-4 6-4 at a rocking John Cain Arena, then looked on as his foe received a memorable send off.
With the roof on after a hot summer’s day in Melbourne, the intensity of the noise went to another level, with the majority on hand rooting for the 40-year-old wildcard who opened his Grand Slam account at Melbourne Park 12 years ago.
A throng of supporters lower down near the baseline, in particular, made themselves heard throughout.
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After Wawrinka struck an ace following an interaction with them early in the third set, he pointed in their direction, then to his head in a trademark gesture.
One female backer seated elsewhere had “Stan the Man” painted on her tummy.
When the contest ended, Wawrinka addressed the crowd and was handed a gift by tournament director Craig Tiley.
“We love you here, Stan,” said Tiley. “Well done.”
A montage on the big screen showcased his AO 2014 victory in the final over Rafael Nadal, prior to Wawrinka and Tiley cracking open beers. Wawrinka did a farewell lap, pointing to his heart.
“The atmosphere was once again unbelievable,” said Wawrinka. “So thank you, guys, for always showing up.
“I had so many memories here the last 20 years.”
His second-round win over French qualifier Arthur Gea made him the first 40-year-old man to reach the third round at the Australian Open since Ken Rosewall in 1978.
It was an incredible achievement but one that also might have taken a huge toll, given the five-setter lasted four-and-a-half hours.
Wawrinka needed an off-court medical timeout after the third set against Fritz, who himself is competing at AO 2026 under an injury cloud.
The resolute world No.9 is battling a knee issue, and admitted that other injuries surfaced leading into the year’s opening major.
Despite Fritz clocking 30 aces – playing indoors makes for the perfect serving conditions – Wawrinka could have considered himself unlucky to lose two of the first three sets.
Fritz and Wawrinka began like motorists speeding down the highway. Fritz held serve in 51 seconds for 1-0, and the opening six games lasted 14 minutes.
Then a roadblock came.
Wawrinka created the first two break points at 3-3. Fritz left Wawrinka no chance on the first one but on the second, a second serve return lacked depth. Fritz pounced with his forehand.
When they last faced off in Monte Carlo in 2023, Wawrinka earned three set points in a first-set tiebreak. He didn’t get that far on Saturday, as Fritz earned the opening mini break by claiming a 26-shot rally.
Wawrinka fended off Fritz to begin the second, then broke in a two-game swing often seen in tennis.
He lured Fritz forward with drop shots, drilled one-handed backhands and crushed a forehand down the line at 5-2.
Last year in Melbourne, Fritz lost to another veteran, Gael Monfils, in the same round. Was lightning about to strike twice?
The start of the third mirrored the start of the match. Quick holds were the norm. Fritz tweaked his first-serve return stance at 3-3 and it paid instant dividends, earning a break.
Once Wawrinka took the medical timeout, there seemed no way back.
Yet Wawrinka offered a smile when getting the better of Fritz in the fifth game. Another one came and prompted one of the loudest roars of the evening after a rocketed one-handed backhand in the last game saw Fritz trail 15-30.
But out came two mammoth serves and a huge forehand to fend off the danger.
The pair, who practised together at the United Cup, had a quick chat up at the net. The gracious Fritz then let Wawrinka take it all in.
“I can’t blame anyone in the crowd for cheering for Stan here,” said Fritz.
“It’s amazing what he’s out here doing. I have so much respect for the passion and the drive it takes to be doing what he’s doing.”