Wildcard confirmed: Stan Wawrinka to make final appearance at Australian Open
ATPFriday, 09 January 2026 at 04:40
Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka has been awarded a wildcard for the Australian Open, following an announcement by the tournament on social media confirming the Swiss star’s participation. Wawrinka will compete in the main draw for the final time during his farewell season.
A few weeks ago, the 40-year-old announced that 2026 would be his last campaign as a professional. The former world No. 3 began the season outside the top 105 and missed direct entry into the Aussie Open main draw, so he was hoping for a wildcard—of which, he admitted, he had no information until a few days ago.
However, Tennis Australia decided to grant one of the remaining wildcards to Wawrinka, who is currently competing in the United Cup. The veteran has served as both captain and singles player for the Swiss team, now in the semifinals of the mixed-nation tournament.
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The wildcard announcement comes just hours after Nick Kyrgios confirmed he was not fit enough to play five-set matches at the Australian Open and requested directly to Tennis Australia that the wildcard be awarded to a player who could compete at full strength instead.
Kyrgios’ decision appears to have resolved any remaining uncertainty, as Tennis Australia announced within hours that “Stan the Man” will return to Melbourne Park for one final appearance. Wawrinka first played in the main draw in 2006, and this will mark his 20th participation. His most memorable campaign came in 2014, when he defeated Novak Djokovic (No. 2), Tomas Berdych (No. 7), and world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the final. This was the Swiss star’s first major title, breaking a streak of 16 consecutive majors won by a Big-4 player.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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