Stan Wawrinka receives wildcard for 2026 Australian Open

Tennis Australia announced on Friday that three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka has been granted a wildcard for this year's Australian Open.

The 40-year-old Swiss legend will make his final appearance at the tournament, marking the conclusion of an illustrious career as he prepares to retire at the end of the season.

Nick Kyrgios, who was previously considered, has decided that he will not participate in the singles competition at this month's Australian Open, revealing that he is not yet ready to play five-set matches.

Wawrinka, who revealed last month that he would hang up his racket at the close of 2026, won the first of his three major titles at Melbourne Park.

Wawrinka expressed that winning the 2014 Australian Open, his first Grand Slam title, was a career highlight, and he expressed immense gratitude for receiving a wildcard to play in the tournament during his final year on tour.

"Winning the Australian Open in 2014, my first Grand Slam title, is an absolute career highlight for me, so I'm incredibly grateful to receive this wildcard," said Wawrinka.

"To have the chance to play the Australian Open at the beginning of my final year on tour means the world to me."

In addition to Wawrinka, the other two wildcards have been awarded to Australians Jordan Thompson and Christopher O'Connell.

The two players, who were recently dropped from the Top 100 in the world rankings, will avoid the qualifying rounds and enter the main draw directly.