Wawrinka Rolls Back the Years as Australian Open Fight Goes Down to the Wire
The Australian Open is once again reminding the world why it is the toughest test in tennis and right now, all eyes are locked on Stan Wawrinka as he battles through a gripping first-round clash in Melbourne.
The Swiss veteran arrived at this tournament on a wildcard, but what we are seeing on court is not nostalgia, it is resistance. After dropping the opening set against Serbia’s Laslo Djere, Wawrinka dug deep, found his rhythm and sealed the second set 6–3 to level the match. That moment shifted the atmosphere inside the arena, because suddenly this was no longer about rankings or form. It became about belief.
For Wawrinka, this Australian Open carries special weight. He has already confirmed that 2026 will be the final year of his professional career. This is his last push, his final chapter and Melbourne is a place that holds powerful memories. Twelve years ago, he stunned Roger Federer here to win his first Grand Slam title. That legacy still follows him every time he steps onto a hard court in Australia.
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Across the net, Laslo Djere represents a very different story. The Serbian has struggled to regain consistency after elbow surgery and his recent results show how difficult that road has been. Yet in the opening set, Djere played with clarity and confidence, breaking Wawrinka late and closing it out 7–5. It was a reminder that experience alone does not win matches at this level.
But champions respond and Wawrinka responded the only way he knows how. He cleaned up his serve, took the ball earlier and began striking with that familiar one-handed backhand that once terrified the tour. The second set belonged to him and with it came renewed energy, from the crowd and from the man himself.
Why does this match matter? Because it speaks to something bigger than a first-round result. It is about longevity in modern tennis. It is about whether a former Grand Slam champion can still impose his will against younger, fitter opponents. And it is about the emotional weight of a farewell season, where every match could be the last.
As this contest moves forward, questions remain. Can Wawrinka sustain this level physically? Can Djere weather the pressure and reclaim control? The answers will unfold point by point, under the bright Melbourne lights.
Stay with us as this story develops, because at the Australian Open, history has a habit of showing up when you least expect it and Stan Wawrinka may not be finished just yet.
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