Stan Wawrinka toasts with beer in Australian Open farewell - ESPN

MELBOURNE, Australia — Stan Wawrinka said goodbye after his loss to Taylor Fritz and then grabbed two beers from a courtside ice box, cracked the cans with the Australian Open tournament director and saluted the crowd.

«Cheers everybody!» Wawrinka said after Saturday's 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 third-round loss to No. 9 Fritz. «And thank you so much.»

Wawrinka, 40, won the first of his three Grand Slam titles in Australia in 2014.

With a 4½-hour, five-set win over 21-year-old French qualifier Arthur Gea in the second round, Wawrinka became the first man 40 or older to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Ken Rosewall at the 1978 Australian Open. His 49th five-set match at a major was also a record.

«I'm not sure it's the best statistic to have,» Wawrinka said of 40-plus milestone, «but I will take it.»

Wawrinka said before the start of the 2026 season that this would be his last on the professional circuit, but he added that it wasn't just a farewell tour. He is still putting in the work and getting results.

After Wawrinka's last match at Melbourne Park, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley joined him on court for a ceremony and a small tribute on the stadium screen at John Cain Arena.

After the formalities, Wawrinka wanted a few final words.

«Normally we talk on court after a final. Today is not a final, so I won't make it too long,» he said. «Thank you for the wild-card invitation… to have one last chance to say goodbye to the people in Melbourne.

»It was my last time as a tennis player here, unfortunately. I had so many emotions here the last 20 years. I'm sad to leave, but it's been an amazing journey."

Then he added, more ab-lib, «Now I can enjoy. If you don't mind, I'd like to share a beer with