Three-time Grand Slam winner enjoys beer on court after emotional final Australian Open match

Three-time Grand Slam victor Stan Wawrinka wanted conscionable 1 happening aft playing the last Australian Open lucifer of his vocation connected Saturday: a beer.

Wawrinka, who is acceptable to discontinue astatine the extremity of the 2026 season, mislaid to No. 9 effect Taylor Fritz 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 successful the 3rd round. At property 40, helium became the archetypal antheral 40 oregon older to scope the 3rd circular of a Grand Slam since Ken Rosewall astatine the 1978 Australian Open.

After the lucifer ended, Australian Open tourney manager Craig Tiley joined Wawrinka connected the tribunal for a ceremonial and a tiny tribute connected the stadium surface astatine John Cain Arena. After the ceremony, Wawrinka stepped to the microphone.

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Stan Wawrinka holds up a brew pursuing his third-round nonaccomplishment to Taylor Fritz astatine the Australian Open tennis title successful Melbourne, Australia, connected Jan. 24, 2026. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP Photo)

"Normally we speech connected tribunal aft a final. Today is not a final, truthful I won’t marque it excessively long," helium said. "Thank you for the wildcard invitation … to person 1 past accidental to accidental goodbye to the radical successful Melbourne.

"It was my past clip arsenic a tennis subordinate here, unfortunately. I had truthful galore emotions present the past 20 years. I’m bittersweet to leave, but it’s been an astonishing journey."

Wawrinka, who won the archetypal of his 3 Grand Slam titles successful Australia successful 2014, wanted to walk his last moments connected the tribunal with a beer.

BEN SHELTON GIVES POIGNANT PATRIOTIC MESSAGE AFTER AUSTRALIAN OPEN VICTORY

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland gestures with fans arsenic helium walks onto tribunal for his 3rd circular lucifer against Taylor Fritz of the U.S. astatine the Australian Open tennis title successful Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.  (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP Photo)

"Now I tin enjoy. If you don’t mind, I’d similar to stock a brew with Craig."

Fritz said what the 40-year-old was doing was amazing.

"It’s a really, truly pugnacious lucifer obviously, the situation arsenic well," Fritz said of Wawrinka's Australian finale. "I can’t blasted anyone successful the assemblage for cheering for Stan here. It’s astonishing what he’s retired present doing.

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Spectators cheer Stan Wawrinka during his third-round lucifer against Taylor Fritz astatine the Australian Open tennis title successful Melbourne, Australia, connected Jan. 24, 2026. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP Photo)

"I person truthful overmuch respect for the passionateness and the thrust that it takes to beryllium doing what he’s doing this week."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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