Marathon Stan Makes History at 40, Breaks 48-Year Australian Open Barrier
History just unfolded on a Melbourne hard court and it came with sweat, grit and a familiar one-handed backhand that refuses to fade away. At 40 years old, Stan Wawrinka has done something no man has achieved at the Australian Open in nearly half a century, reaching the third round as a player aged 40 or over, a feat last seen in 1978.
This was not a ceremonial appearance. This was a battle. More than four and a half hours. Five demanding sets. And a finish that tested nerve as much as muscle. Wawrinka, playing on a wildcard and ranked well outside the elite, stared down a fearless 21-year-old challenger and found a way to win when it mattered most. The crowd inside Kia Arena felt every twist of that match and by the end, they were on their feet for a man who simply would not quit.
What makes this moment resonate is not just the number in the record books. It is the context. Wawrinka is a three-time Grand Slam champion, a former world number three and a player whose career has already secured its place in tennis history. But this chapter is different. This is about survival at the highest level, about pushing an aging body through five-set tennis in a sport that has grown faster and younger every year.
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This match also extended his reputation as one of the great marathon men of the Open Era. No active player has played more five-set matches at Grand Slams. These are contests that demand patience, pain tolerance and belief. And once again, Wawrinka leaned on experience, on timing and on that iconic backhand that still cuts through the court when the moment demands courage.
There is also a deeper emotional layer here. Wawrinka has been clear that this is likely his final Australian Open. Every win now carries extra weight. Every night match could be the last time fans see him fight under these lights. That sense of finality adds urgency to every point and perhaps that is why the connection with the crowd feels stronger than ever.
Now, the challenge grows even steeper. A seeded opponent awaits. Recovery becomes the real opponent before the next ball is even struck. But whether this run ends in the next round or goes further, the message has already been delivered loud and clear.
This matters because sport is not only about the future. It is also about legacy, resilience and the refusal to fade quietly. Stan Wawrinka has reminded the tennis world that greatness does not always arrive young and it does not always leave on schedule.
Stay with us as this remarkable Australian Open story continues to unfold and keep watching for the moments that remind us why sport still finds ways to surprise us.
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