40 And Flying: Stan Wawrinka Rewrites Tennis History; Joins Federer In Rare Club

Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 11:17 IST

Wawrinka became the first 40-something ranked inside the Top 100 since Roger Federer in 2022.

Stan Wawrinka said 2026 would be his final year on tour. Instead of fading quietly, he’s roaring back.

The 40-year-old has already won five matches this season — more than he managed in all of 2025. After reaching the second round of the ATP 500 in Rotterdam, Wawrinka climbs from No. 106 to No. 98 in the ATP rankings, marking his first return to the Top 100 since 2024.

That milestone carries serious weight.

He becomes the first 40-something ranked inside the Top 100 since Roger Federer in 2022. Federer, also 40, sat at No. 97 during Wimbledon that year before dropping out of the rankings entirely when his points expired.

Before Federer, it was Ivo Karlovic, ranked No. 95 at age 40 in late 2019. Feliciano Lopez came close in 2021 but slipped out of the Top 100 just one week before turning 40.

Five-Set King at 40

And that’s only half the story.

At the Australian Open in January, Wawrinka broke Federer’s record for most five-set matches played in Grand Slam history. By outlasting his opponent in a marathon 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10-3) win, he logged his 49th career five-setter, according to OptaAce, moving clear of Federer.

The run carried him into the third round, making him the first man aged 40 or over to reach that stage at a Slam since Ken Rosewall at the 1978 Australian Open.

Wawrinka eventually bowed out to Taylor Fritz, but showed that he won’t go out silent.

Well, he is Stan ‘The Man’ for a reason.

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