AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 24, 2026

Stan Wawrinka

Press Conference

T. FRITZ/S. Wawrinka

7-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Stan, bad luck tonight, but where do you rank tonight among the many great memories that you had in Australia?

STAN WAWRINKA: Yeah, it is really high, for sure. Playing on the John Cain Arena full with this atmosphere was of course really special. The level was great, in general. I think the level was good. I push him.

I couldn't find solution with battle, but yeah, enjoyed a lot this match, even if it was my last one here in Melbourne.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. With the United Cup and with the Australian Open, were you surprised at your level over the last month? Does that reset your goals for sort of the rest of the season?

STAN WAWRINKA: No. Surprise, no, because I know I was practicing how much I push myself to try to get that level. I think United Cup was perfect start, because it give me a lot of time on the court against top players. Even if I won only one match, I had the chance to play five and spend a lot of time.

This is exactly what I was missing last year, is when you lose first round and you need to wait one week or two before the next one, and then you quickly don't get the confidence in yourself to get the level you want.

This for me was a great two weeks, three weeks now, between here and United Cup. The level was great. I can see that I'm competitive, that I'm feeling good on the court, that I can win some good match, play against the top players. It's exactly what I'm looking for.

Doesn't change my goal for the year. It's always going to be to push my limit. It's not because I play well those three weeks that I'm going to win a lot of match the next few months, but at least I know where is my level and what I can still do, and I'm happy with that.

Q. Sometimes when players are saying their good-byes, it can be quite emotional and quite tearful. But you have been having fun every match you've played here. You had the beer with Craig. What's your mindset on all these good-byes you're going to say?

STAN WAWRINKA: Yeah, a lot of fun, that's for sure. My mindset was what I have been saying, like, I'm not doing the year to say good-bye in tournament just to say good-bye. I'm doing the year, it's my last year, so of course when I'm gonna lose in tournament, it's going to be a good-bye for this tournament, but my mindset is still a competitor and I always want to push myself.

I'm trying to find the balance between competitor, trying to win, but in the same time enjoying those moments with the fans, with the atmosphere. And here it was more than I could expect it with the support. Every match was something really special, and I really appreciate that.

Q. What are your plans from here? Have you sort of thought about tournaments you want to go to? Have you had conversations with different tournaments? Are you going to take it as it comes?

STAN WAWRINKA: I supposed to play, got wildcard for Montpellier, Rotterdam in Europe, and probably Dubai as well. I'm super happy and grateful for the opportunity to play those tournaments.

For sure going to rest a bit the body. I need to see also how it's gonna be the next few days, because of course I'm not as fresh as I would like to, but yeah, I'm looking forward for the next tournaments.

Q. Leaving aside your title run at the Australian Open, do you have a favorite memory from your time in Australia over your 20 years playing here?

STAN WAWRINKA: I have many good memories, but honestly, two days ago when I won my match on the Kia Arena is probably up there. I never had so much support, so much emotion on court, especially five sets, 7-6 in the fifth, seeing like how much I could enjoy the crowd, how much fun they were having, and me too. It was really special.