Stan Wawrinka closes Australian Open career — an ode to a champion

Stan Wawrinka shows his appreciation to the crowd on John Cain Arena after playing his final Australian Open match. (Getty/Hannah Peters)

As the sun began to set on Stan Wawrinka's career in Australia, he conjured up the crowd one last time. They had been raucous all match, with Wawrinka often encouraging them with a hand signal or a clap, which only cranked up the stadium's volume. With opponent Taylor Fritz serving for the match at 15-all, the American had to abort his ball toss with the crowd noise deafening.

After five matches at the United Cup and an epic five-set victory over Arthur Gea in the previous round, Wawrinka's energy showed no signs of dipping until the fourth set against Fritz, where it finally gave out. Yet, in that moment, he was invigorated once more, using all his energy to unfurl a set of glorious one-handed backhands, slowly drawing Fritz further outside the court. Then, with one final grunt of effort, he ripped a trademark winner cross court, and the crowd erupted to unbridled pandemonium. If there was a perfect way to end a legend's relationship with Australia, it was that.

At the start of the month, it seemed that two matches at the United Cup in Perth was all that Australia would get of Wawrinka in his final season, with a wildcard offer seemingly not forthcoming, but, with Team Switzerland members Belinda Bencic and Jakub Paul by his side, the Swiss legend stunned Arthur Rinderknech before being helped by his teammates to the final in Sydney. Not only did this lead to the belated award of a wildcard, but it also proved to Wawrinka that he still had the level to push the very best players in the world.

"I think the United Cup was a perfect start, because it gave 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," said Wawrinka.

"This is exactly what I was missing last year, is when you lose the 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. 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 matches, and play against the top players. It's exactly what I was looking for."

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Then came the Australian Open. On the new 'people’s court' Kia Arena, Wawrinka battled Laslo Djere in a match where he dominated level-wise but struggled to win the key moments. He managed to win in four tight sets, but acknowledged that he needed to improve in critical moments to continue being competitive.

"I had many opportunities to break. Also, the 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," he said. "That's when I started to think a little bit. I'm starting to be a little bit late or a bit passive, and I let the other opponent play much more aggressive than me."

For his second round, he returned to Kia Arena to battle French qualifier Arthur Gea in front of a completely packed crowd, full of patrons who had queued all day in the sun to see the Swiss maestro. What followed was a five-set classic, which will surely be one of the matches of the tournament and probably one of the matches of the decade at the Australian Open.

With the crowd in tow, cheering his every move, Wawrinka took the match to a deciding fifth-set tiebreak where he physically outlasted his opponent, 20 years his junior, to earn an extraordinary win.

For three sets, he was toe-to-toe with perennial top 10 player Taylor Fritz as well, taking the first to a close tiebreak and dominating the second set with flair and charisma on John Cain Arena.

Before walking off the court, Wawrinka was honoured by Tournament Director Craig Tiley with an emotional video and a final speech accompanied by applause, which proved just how much he meant to so many in the crowd. A beer toast with Tiley was the perfect way to send off the 2014 Australian Open champ and forever crowd favourite.

Not only loved by crowds, Wawrinka is also highly respected by his peers, with Novak Djokovic paying tribute to the 40-year-old in his post-match press conference.

"Proud to call him a friend and a rival and someone that definitely has inspired me. I mean, no doubt with his longevity, with commitment to the game. He's so passionate about it," he said.

"Just seeing him battle it out almost over four hours last match he played, the second round, the way he turned it around, it's a testament to his career and what he brought to the court. His legacy will definitely stay and live with many different younger generations that look up to him.

"He's a great champion on and off the court. Very likeable guy. He did everything the right way, and he deserved every applause he had this tournament. I think it's been a great farewell Australian Open for him with the crowd support and everything that has happened on the court, the way he has played, and particularly that second round match. When he's gone, tennis is going to lose a great player and a great person."

Wawrinka has had many incredible moments over his 20 year professional career at Melbourne Park. From his qualifying victory over Djokovic in his first year down under to his epic against the Serbian star in 2013 to his title run in 2014, his affinity with Australia is well-established. But his favourite moment outside of the title win… that match against Gea.

"I never had so much support, so much emotion on court, especially five sets, 7-6 in the fifth, seeing how much I could enjoy the crowd, how much fun they were having, and me too. It was really special."

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