Wawrinka receives Australian Open wildcard for final season

"Wawrinka said returning to Melbourne means a lot to him in his farewell season."

Stan Wawrinka has received a wildcard entry for the Australian Open as he begins the final season of his professional tennis career. This decision allows him to return to one of his most successful tournaments.

The 40-year-old Swiss player will appear in the 2026 Australian Open main draw. This will be his 20th appearance at the event. Most importantly, Wawrinka won the title in 2014, which was the first Grand Slam victory of his career. In addition, he reached the semi-finals in 2015 and 2017.

However, Wawrinka is currently ranked outside the top 100. As a result, he needed a wildcard to secure a place in the tournament. He said the opportunity to play again in Melbourne means a lot to him, especially as he plans to retire at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, tournament officials praised his long career and fighting spirit. Therefore, fans will once again see the experienced champion compete on one of tennis’s biggest stages. This could be his final appearance at the Australian Open.