Looking Back at Stan Wawrinka’s 2014 Australian…

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There was something about Stan Wawrinka’s play at the 2026 Australian Open, his final appearance in Melbourne, that brought fans back to the early 2010s.

An era once dominated by the Big Three, the Aussie Open was where Novak Djokovic had his hold, having won back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. Therefore, the aim for the rest of the tour heading into the first Grand Slam of the 2013 season was to end the Serb’s reign in Melbourne, and Wawrinka proved to be Djokovic’s biggest challenger to the throne.

The two rivals met in the fourth round, battling for just over five hours when the then-world No. 17 lost in the 22^nd game of the decisive set to concede the match 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7(5), 12-10.

“It's by far the best match I ever [played], especially in five sets against the No. 1 player," Wawrinka said post match. “I think there is more positive than negative.”

The match was Djokovic’s second-longest in his illustrious Australian Open career – behind the renowned 2012 final against Rafael Nadal – as the future ten-time champion went on to win his third-straight title in Melbourne.

However, just a year later, Wawrinka got another crack at dethroning the three-time defending champion.

Following his straight-sets win over world No. 18 Tommy Robredo in round four, the world No. 8 was reacquainted with Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the 2014 Aussie Open. Their rematch went the distance once again.

Wawrinka was down an early break in the fifth set but broke back as the two were in for another lengthy decider. With Djokovic serving at 7-8, 30-40, the world No. 2’s volley sailed wide at the four-hour mark, and Wawrinka got his revenge to reach his first Australian Open semifinal.

Sights were then set on a maiden Grand Slam title, looking to become the first player outside the Big Four to win a major since Juan Martin del Potro at the 2009 US Open. Wawrinka’s semifinal opponent had the same goal – world No. 7 Tomas Berdych.

The Swiss took the opener rather comfortably, especially in comparison to how the rest of the match went. The next three sets were all settled via tiebreaks, the first of which Berdych took to level the contest. Wawrinka then battled to clinch back-to-back breakers and reached his first major final thanks to the tight 6-3, 6-7(1), 7-6(3), 7-6(4) victory.

However, this era was ruled by the Big Three and, after already taking down one member of the trio, the only way for Wawrinka to get his hands on Slam silverware was to defeat another – world No. 1 Nadal.

Wawrinka’s positive start brought that Australian Open title well within reach though. The 27-year-old was the aggressor right out of the gate, leaving Nadal with little answer as he raced out to a two-set lead. Wawrinka faced a bump in the third, only to return to his very best in the next set and hold triple championship point. On the first attempt, the Swiss fired a forehand winner past Nadal, earning his place in the Grand Slam winner’s circle.

Wawrinka hoisted the first of his three major trophies, becoming the first player since 1993 to eliminate the Top 2 seeds en route to a title at one of tennis’ grandest events.

The triumph brought him up to a career-high of No. 3. Wawrinka later returned to the semifinals in 2015 and 2017, falling short in five-set battles against eventual champions Djokovic (again) and Roger Federer, respectively.

Fast forward to 2026 – Wawrinka’s last season on tour – and the memories in Melbourne were rolling in ahead of his final Australian Open. The Swiss wildcard came back from a set down to secure a round-one win. Then, in Wawrinka fashion at the Aussie Open, he was victorious in an over-four-and-a-half-hour match to reach the third round for the first time in six years.

The 40-year-old took a set off world No. 9 Taylor Fritz in his next match, but Wawrinka eventually hit his final ball at the Australian Open, marking his time at Melbourne Park with a farewell to the fans.

“Thank you for the wildcard invitation ... to have one last chance to say goodbye to the people in Melbourne,” Wawrinka said post match. “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.”

But Wawrinka didn’t leave the court empty handed. He left with a can of Australia’s finest ginger beer and a toast to the place where he achieved one of his greatest milestones 12 years ago.

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Feature Photo: ATP