WILDCARD BOOKED - STAN THE MAN!

Swiss tennis icon Stan Wawrinka received a wild card entry into the Australian Open main draw for his final professional season on the ATP Tour

​The 40-year-old veteran and three-time Grand Slam champion secured his spot after strong performances in team competition and discussions with tournament officials

​Stan Wawrinka Awarded Wild Card Entry for Final Australian Open Campaign

​Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka has officially been granted a wild card entry into the main draw of the Australian Open. The 40-year-old Swiss veteran, who previously announced that 2026 would be his final season on the ATP Tour, was awarded the entry by tournament organizers after missing out on automatic qualification due to his ranking outside the top 100. The decision allows the fan favorite to return to the site of his breakthrough 2014 Grand Slam triumph for one final appearance.

​Wawrinka’s wild card selection followed strong momentum during early-season play, where he delivered competitive performances at the United Cup. Despite falling short of direct entry, Wawrinka expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to compete at Melbourne Park one last time. Tournament organizers highlighted his historic contribution to the sport—having captured titles at the Australian Open (2014), French Open (2015), and US Open (2016) during the height of the Big Three era—as a key reason for extending the main draw invitation.

​Expressing his joy after the announcement, Wawrinka noted that winning his first Grand Slam title in Melbourne remains a career highlight and that competing there in his farewell year holds special personal significance. Tennis fans and analysts widely welcomed the inclusion, praising the organizers for honoring a legend who contributed over 16 ATP titles and nearly two decades of elite performance to professional tennis.

​With the wild card secured, Wawrinka enters the tournament looking to make a deep run and cap off his storied career on a high note. Fans at Melbourne Park will get to witness his iconic one-handed backhand on the grand stage one last time as he takes on the current generation of tennis stars.