Stan Wawrinka, the three-time Grand Slam champion, is making a powerful statement in what is expected to be his final season as a professional tennis player. At 40 years of age, Wawrinka is demonstrating that he can still compete at a high level, recently advancing to the third round of the Australian Open as a wildcard and continuing his strong performance at the Open Occitanie in Montpellier.
In his latest match, Wawrinka faced young Serbian player Hamad Medjedovic, taking the victory in straight sets with a score of 7-6(3), 6-4. The match showcased Wawrinka’s wealth of experience and powerful serve, allowing him to control the game and win in just 98 minutes. He now prepares for a challenging clash against top-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime for a spot in the quarter-finals.
“I always enjoy playing,” Wawrinka remarked. “I’m still passionate about the game. For me, it was important to keep pushing myself and trying to win as much as possible.” His enthusiasm for the game shines through as he takes on younger opponents, expressing satisfaction in facing Medjedovic for the first time and acknowledging the challenges posed by emerging talents.
The tournament also featured 16-year-old French prospect Moise Kouame, who showed promise by making it to the main draw after a successful qualifying run. In his first match on the ATP tour, Kouame put up a strong fight against eighth seed Aleksander Kovacevic, taking the match to three sets before ultimately falling 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-2. Kovacevic noted Kouame’s impressive performance, stating, “He was outplaying me in the first set… but I got settled in a little bit.”
In terms of advancing players, three have officially claimed places in the quarter-finals, including Adrian Mannarino, who achieved a remarkable comeback by saving three match points to defeat fifth seed Ugo Humbert. Mannarino will next compete against fellow Frenchman Arthur Gea, who advanced when third seed Tomas Machac retired during their match. Additionally, the American qualifier Martin Damm gained attention by dominating veteran Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut with a decisive 6-1, 6-3 victory.
As Wawrinka continues his farewell tour, his presence on the court not only highlights his resilience and competitive spirit but also inspires the younger generation of players in the sport. The excitement surrounding these matches underscores a promising future for tennis, as experienced champions and fresh talent meet on the same stage.