Stan Wawrinka shows power of converting nerves to confidence in winning start at final Australian Open

Throughout the season-opening United Cup, Stan Wawrinka showed he could still go toe-to-toe with the ATP’s Top 50—and a returning-from-injury Hubert Hurkacz—over a five-match stretch to kick off his farewell season.

During Switzerland’s runner-up finish to Poland, the 40-year-old was awarded the final men’s wild card into the Australian Open main draw. On Monday, the 2014 champion made good on Tennis Australia granting him the opportunity to play at Melbourne Park one last time.

In all five of his United Cup contests, Wawrinka found himself playing from behind—winning once over 27th-ranked Arthur Rinderknech. Taking a spirited Kia Arena, a prepared Wawrinka rallied past Laslo Djere for a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory after three hours and 23 minutes.

“I've been working really hard to stay in shape, to push myself. I think also the week in United Cup helped me a lot because I played over three hours back-to-back, plus a lot of tennis on the court, high level,” Wawrinka reflected in his press conference.

“It got me a lot of confidence into what I'm able to do.”

The three-time major winner celebrated his first win at the Happy Slam in five years, and first overall on the Grand Slam stage since 2024 Wimbledon. Wawrinka shared while he still feels the nerves on the match court, those butterflies—more than anything—are a driving force behind his passion.

“That's always been positive for me. That means I really care. That means I really want to do well. I'm really pushing myself,” he commented.

“That's when you need to be really disciplined with yourself, with your brain, with what you have to do during the match.”

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Against Djere, Wawrinka produced 14 aces and won 75 percent of his total points on serve. The former world No. 3 isn’t trying to turn back the clock with what he brings to the court, but rather, unleash the best 2026 version of Stanimal.

“I know I'm not as good as I was before. I know I'm not physical and tennis-wise as I was before. That's normal,” he said. “I'm getting old. But I'm still happy with what I'm doing, always trying to push my own limit, always trying to be better.”

Wawrinka, ranked No. 139 coming into this event, now holds 159 major match wins. His next opponent? One.

Qualifier Arthur Gea made sure his debut in a Grand Slam main draw was one to commemorate, knocking out No. 17 seed Jiri Lehecka. The 21-year-old French qualifier advanced, 7-5, 7-6 (1), 7-5, in his first tour-level appearance.