AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 19, 2026

Stan Wawrinka

Press Conference

S. WAWRINKA/L. Djere

5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Stan, what an amazing atmosphere on Kia Arena. How much did the crowd help you today?

STAN WAWRINKA: Yeah, it was amazing. It was full, a lot of support for me. It's always extra energy to receive so much support, especially here. The atmosphere is really special.

It helped me a lot and I'm super happy to get through this one.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How much confidence did you have in your ability to physically finish strong over four sets in warm conditions?

STAN WAWRINKA: Yeah I've been working really hard to stay in shape, to push myself. I think also the week in United Cup helped me a lot because I played over three hours match back to back, plus a lot of tennis on the court, high level. It got me a lot of confidence into what I'm able to do.

But at the end I'm still 40 years old and you never know what happen. But you don't have to think too much in advance, too much into how long is going to be the match or is it going to be five sets or no.

No, you have to do the best with what you can in the moment. Today was great.

Q. You mentioned you're 40 years old. Are there times on the court like today where you were nervous during the match?

STAN WAWRINKA: Yeah, almost all match (smiling).

No, of course, I'm always nervous. That's always been positive for me. That's mean I really care. That's mean I really want to do well. I'm really pushing myself.

That's when you need to be really disciplined with yourself, with your brain, with what you have to do during the match. I think those match also a bit longer in five set always help me to relax, to be a bit more focused, to move a bit better. That was the case today. I think I start playing better second, third and fourth sets.

Q. Very strong performance on serve. 86% of first serves, 60% on the second serve. Talk about that. Also on the break points, a bit of a theme so far this year has been finding it difficult to get the break.

STAN WAWRINKA: Yeah, serving in general been quite good, especially when I find my good rhythm. In two matches, end of last year, plus the off-season, I've been working again more on my serve, especially to get more free points, to serve better. I'm happy it help me in matches like today.

That's true, I had many opportunity to break. Also last few match was the same. That's when I start sometimes to think a little bit more about the outcome of the point and not enough about what exactly to do with my game. That's when I start to think a little bit. I'm start to be a little bit late or a bit passive, and I let the other opponent playing much more aggressive than me.

At the end for me was great to get through a match like that, even with many opportunity to stay with him, to break back in the fourth, and to win with the tiebreak.

Q. I'm sure your approach, tactics have changed since you went all the way here. At times today when the ball is coming off the strings, did it feel exactly the same?

STAN WAWRINKA: I wish it would feel the same, the same power and everything (smiling).

No, I don't try to feel the same as 10 years or more ago. I always been honest with myself, knowing where I am, what's my ability, what I can do, what I can still achieve, the way I can still play. I try to use that on court every matches.

I know I'm not as good as I was before. I know I'm not physical and tennis-wise as I was before. That's normal. I'm getting old. But I'm still happy with what I'm doing, always trying to push my own limit, always trying to be better.

I'm happy that I had the chance to win match in slams here.