Wawrinka begins farewell year with gritty comeback win at United Cup

Stan Wawrinka opened the final chapter of his illustrious tennis career in trademark style, digging deep to script a stirring comeback victory at the United Cup on Saturday. Playing his first singles match of what he has announced as his 2026 farewell tour , the 40-year-old Swiss star defeated France’s Arthur Rinderknech 5-7, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) in a marathon contest lasting over three hours.

Ranked 157th in the world and facing the much higher-ranked Rinderknech (No. 29), Wawrinka showed that experience, resilience and mental strength can still outshine numbers on paper. After dropping the opening set, he held his nerve in two tense tie-breaks to seal the match, much to the delight of fans in Perth.

Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 3, announced in December that 2026 would be his final season on the ATP Tour. Ahead of the match, he said he hoped to use his last year on tour to improve his ranking and push back into the top 100 before retiring. “I’m happy with the decision and feeling at peace with that,” Wawrinka said, reflecting on his impending farewell from professional tennis.

The win also put Switzerland in a strong position in the tie, with Belinda Bencic earlier securing a 6-2, 6-4 victory over France’s Leolia Jeanjean to give the Swiss team a 2-0 lead.

The United Cup is one of several tournaments being played in Australia ahead of the Australian Open , which begins in Melbourne on January 18. If this opening performance is any indication, Wawrinka’s final year promises not just nostalgia, but moments of defiance and brilliance that have defined his remarkable career.