Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka gestures to the crowd after losing to USA's Taylor Fritz in their men's singles match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 24.--AFP PICMELBOURNE: Stan Wawrinka reflected on an "amazing journey" as the 40-year-old said a heroic final farewell to the Australian Open on Saturday in a battling third-round loss to Taylor Fritz. On Thursday Wawrinka became the first player aged 40 or over to reach the men's third round at a Slam since Ken Rosewall at the Australian Open in 1978. Wawrinka defied his veteran status to make a fast start in the second set and forge a 3-0 lead. Wawrinka saved two break points to go 5-2 up and broke Fritz to pocket the second set in 33 minutes. Wawrinka, now ranked 139, peaked at world number three in 2014, winning the French Open a year later and the US Open in 2016.

Source: New Strait Times January 24, 2026 11:21 UTC