Novak Djokovic Gives an Emotional Salute to Stan Wawrinka After the Swiss’s Last Australian Open Match
Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka have played thrice at the Australian Open.
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Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka (via X)
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The tennis world is feeling a little heavy-hearted this week. The 2026 Australian Open marked the final curtain call for Stan Wawrinka at the tournament that arguably defined his career.
It wasn’t just a loss in the third round; it was a goodbye. And it wasn’t just fans waving from the stands—it was Novak Djokovic, the man who stood across the net during some of Stan’s biggest moments, offering a tribute that felt less like a press statement and more like a heartfelt letter to an old friend. Djokovic said in his Australian Open press conference:
I am proud to call him a friend and a rival, someone who has undoubtedly inspired me with his longevity and commitment to tennis. He is passionate. Just watching him battle for almost four hours in his last match, the second round, and how he turned it around, is a testament to his career and what he brought to the court. His legacy will undoubtedly live on in the younger generations who admire him. He’s a great champion on and off the court, a really nice guy…When he leaves, tennis will lose a great player and a great person.
Djokovic and Wawrinka share a storied rivalry marked by epic clashes. Stan repeatedly derailed Novak’s path in key majors, like the grueling 2014 Australian Open quarterfinal. Their French Open final showcased his iconic forehand alongside those legendary shorts.
Djokovic praised Wawrinka’s entertaining flair right to the end. This went beyond standard colleague compliments. It reflected profound respect from a rival who truly grasps Stan’s rare achievements.
Why Stan Wawrinka’s legacy matters
In an era dominated by the “Big Three” (and later the Big Four with Andy Murray), Stanislas Wawrinka carved out his own space. He wasn’t just a participant; he was a disruptor. He won three Grand Slam titles in the absolute peak era of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. That is a staggering achievement.
His career is a reminder that one doesn’t have to be a prodigy who wins everything from age 18. Stan bloomed a bit later, fought a bit harder, and proved that resilience is a superpower.
His exit signals a massive generational shift. The fans are seeing the torch pass to players like Sinner and Alcaraz, but the gap left by personalities like Wawrinka will be hard to fill.
Wawrinka has committed to playing out the rest of the 2026 season. Fans can expect a farewell tour that hits all the major stops, with plenty more tributes, standing ovations, and hopefully, a few more flashes of brilliance from that backhand. Gael Monfils is another veteran who will depart at the end of the 2026 season.
The end of an era for Stan Wawrinka
Stan Wawrinka, the 40-year-old Swiss legend with the one-handed backhand that could seemingly punch a hole through time, had already announced that 2026 would be his last dance. He wasn’t just showing up to wave; he came to fight.
He became the first man over 40 to reach a Grand Slam third round since Ken Rosewall back in the 70s. In a sport that punishes your joints and demands endless cardio, Wawrinka was out there grinding through five-set thrillers. He beat qualifier Arthur Gea in a match that had everyone on the edge of their seats, proving the old “Stanimal” grit was still very much alive.
But all good things must come to an end. His run concluded against the American ninth seed, Taylor Fritz. It was a tough four-setter (7-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4), but the scoreline almost felt secondary to the emotion in the air.
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