Stan Wawrinka, at the age of 40, has defied expectations to advance in the Australian Open, beating Serbia's Laslo Djere in a four-set match. The Swiss tennis player, who is retiring at the end of this season, showed remarkable resilience and determination, coming back from losing the first set and breaking down in the fourth set before eventually prevailing 5-7 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4).
The Australian Open has seen a number of high-profile retirements so far, with many players struggling to cope with the physical demands of the tournament. However, Wawrinka's victory was a testament to his enduring spirit and competitive drive.
Wawrinka's win is also notable for being one of only five "triple bagel" victories in the main draw of a Grand Slam in recent years. A "triple bagel" refers to when a player wins all three of their opening matches at a tournament without losing any.
The Swiss player's victory has set him up for a second-round match against French qualifier Arthur Gea, while Djere will face Canadian Denis Shapovalov.
For Wawrinka, this win is an important milestone in his farewell tour. The 40-year-old expressed his gratitude to the crowd and acknowledged that he was not "young any more". However, despite his advanced age, Wawrinka continued to demonstrate his commitment to competing at the highest level of tennis.
The Australian Open continues to be a proving ground for veteran players like Wawrinka, who are determined to make the most of their remaining time on the tour.
The Australian Open has seen a number of high-profile retirements so far, with many players struggling to cope with the physical demands of the tournament. However, Wawrinka's victory was a testament to his enduring spirit and competitive drive.
Wawrinka's win is also notable for being one of only five "triple bagel" victories in the main draw of a Grand Slam in recent years. A "triple bagel" refers to when a player wins all three of their opening matches at a tournament without losing any.
The Swiss player's victory has set him up for a second-round match against French qualifier Arthur Gea, while Djere will face Canadian Denis Shapovalov.
For Wawrinka, this win is an important milestone in his farewell tour. The 40-year-old expressed his gratitude to the crowd and acknowledged that he was not "young any more". However, despite his advanced age, Wawrinka continued to demonstrate his commitment to competing at the highest level of tennis.
The Australian Open continues to be a proving ground for veteran players like Wawrinka, who are determined to make the most of their remaining time on the tour.
! At 40, he's defying all odds and showing us that age is just a number 
. I mean, who needs a "golden ticket" to retirement when you've got grit and spirit like Stan? 
And can we talk about his mental toughness? Coming back from losing the first set and breaking down in the fourth was no joke, but he powered through and showed us what it means to be a true competitor 
.
. And let's be real, his "triple bagel" victory is basically a masterclass in resilience and strategy 
. I'm rooting for him all the way to the second round (and beyond!) 
!
I mean, I've seen some of these tennis players retire in their mid-30s and they're like "oh no, I'm done". But Stan Wawrinka keeps going until he's good and ready to stop. Like what's the point of even playing if you're not gonna make it to the later stages? 
I'm low-key impressed by Stan Wawrinka's comeback win against Djere! I mean, the guy's 40 and still bringing it, you know? 
. I'm rooting for him to take down Gea next round! 
! He proved everyone wrong and showed us that age is just a number 
. I'm so hyped for him to take on Arthur Gea next 
. He's giving it his all in his farewell tour and inspiring us all with his determination and spirit 
. Let's keep cheering him on until the end 
! #StanWawrinka #TennisLegend #FarewellTour
, but he just wouldn't give up. I'm not surprised though, he's always been a fighter 
.
He's proving that tennis isn't just about being young and fresh, it's about heart and grit. And let's be real, he's getting some serious props from his fans – the crowd was totally behind him! 
What's inspiring is that Wawrinka didn't just give up when things got tough; he found a way to push through. And who knows, maybe this is exactly how he wants to go out - with a bang 
. On to the next match, Stan! 
I'm still in shock after watching Stan Wawrinka's epic comeback against Djere! 40?! That's insane! 
Ah, that's amazing! Stan Wawrinka is such an inspiration, you know? He's still pushing himself and showing everyone what he's made of at 40! 
. It's moments like these that make you appreciate the game even more, and it's amazing to see how passionate fans like us can be 
. The way he broke down in the fourth set and then came back to win 7-6 (7-4) in the tiebreaker? Mind. Blown. 
man this is amazing what's next gonna happen in Aus open? 40 years old and still putting on a show 
gotta respect the champ 
. It was like, 5 years ago or something. So basically, Mr Whiskers would do a backflip and then take a nap on the porch, while Barky had to sit still for like 10 minutes without moving an inch. The winner got to eat all the tuna sandwiches at our family's annual BBQ 
) is just incredible! He's really making the most of his farewell tour, too. It's lovely to see him expressing gratitude to the crowd and acknowledging his age - class, I say! 
, no question about that. And a "triple bagel" win is just insane - only five of those in a Grand Slam main draw in years! He's like a tennis legend, you know? Anyway, it'll be sick to see him go head-to-head with Arthur Gea next round... might be an upset on the cards