“I know that the end is very close, we all have a deadline and at some point, we will have to put away the racquets,” reflected 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka, the three Grand Slam singles winner, speaking with rare honesty after his wild card run in Basel. Though his home campaign ended in the Round of 16, his relentless grind and undying spirit continue to defy time. And once again, in Athens, the Swiss warrior reminded everyone why he’s adored, rallying past Botic van de Zandschulp in a thrilling comeback that sent the Greek crowd into rapture. 

After his triumph in the heart of Greece, tennis journalist José Morgado couldn’t hold back his awe. Taking to X, he wrote, “Wow. 40 year-old Stan Wawrinka does it again, comes back to beat Botic Van de Zandschulp 2-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 and reach the 2nd round in Athens. 4th tour-level win of the year. That backhand down the line is still absurd. Faces #9 Musetti on Wednesday.” The astonishment in his words perfectly mirrored what fans around the world felt after witnessing the Swiss warrior summon yet another masterclass under the lights of Athens.

Even at 40, Stan Wawrinka continues to prove that time may slow legs but never spirit. In his debut match at the ATP 250 in Athens, the veteran turned back the clock, defeating Botic van de Zandschulp 2-6, 7-6, 7-5 in two hours and 20 minutes of raw grit and artistry. It was his fourth ATP win of the season and a victory that set up a mouthwatering clash with Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the next round.

The match, however, began on uneasy footing. Wawrinka struggled to find rhythm early, as the Dutchman fired six aces and broke twice to claim the first set 6–2. But champions are built for storms, and Wawrinka weathered this one with trademark resolve. He steadied his game, sharpened his one-handed backhand, and began to dictate the rallies with surgical precision.

By the second set, Athens found its rhythm, and its heartbeat was Wawrinka. The crowd roared behind every swing, every grunt, every defiant hold of serve. He fought off break points with cold steel in his veins and marched into the tiebreaker with determination blazing. There, three mini-breaks later, he clinched the set 7–6(5), his backhand singing through the night like poetry in motion.

The decider was pure theatre. Both men went blow-for-blow, but Wawrinka’s experience and nerve stood taller. Saving two break points, he struck when it mattered most, breaking at 6–5 and closing the match 7–5 with the kind of composure that defined his Grand Slam days.

“It’s a big reason why I keep doing it, is to be full of the emotion, to see the fans supporting me, giving me so much energy,” Wawrinka said. “It’s still amazing. It’s something that I know the day I will stop I will not find anywhere else.” 

And as Morgado’s tweet spread like wildfire, fans flooded the digital world with admiration, celebrating a man who continues to age like fine wine, playing not just for trophies, but for the love that still burns within.

Fans applaud 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka’s stunning triumph

When José Morgado’s post celebrating Stan Wawrinka’s Athens heroics went viral, fans poured into the comments with awe and nostalgia. One wrote passionately, “Stan is one of the most underrated players! Let’s not forget that he may be the only one that beat prime Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic on the biggest stage! Stan is one of the GOAT’s.” It’s hard to disagree. 

The Swiss warrior has stood tall through the golden era, when his countryman Roger Federer and rival Rafael Nadal have stepped away from the grind, and Novak Djokovic still chases history, Stan remains, battling with fire in his eyes and purpose in his stride.

Statistically, his records tell a story of resilience. He holds a 21–6 win-loss ratio against Djokovic, 19–3 against Nadal, and 23–3 versus Federer, numbers that don’t just reflect victories, but an unyielding spirit forged in the toughest era tennis has ever seen. Even today, at 40, that legacy burns bright.

Fans couldn’t stop admiring the longevity. “At his age, 40, is amazing! I almost pull my back picking up laundry!” joked one, while another exclaimed, “Unbelievable! Wawrinka proving age is just a number 👏🔥.” The admiration was both heartfelt and humorous, a tribute to a player who continues to make age look irrelevant.

As one user rightly pointed out, only Djokovic remains an active gladiator from that iconic generation, now chasing his 25th Slam at 38. Coincidentally, the Serb begins his Athens campaign today against Alejandro Tabilo in the Round of 16, a stark reminder of how rare it is to see warriors like Stan still thriving on the circuit.

Others couldn’t help but analyze the Dutchman’s missed chances. “All the credit to Stan but Van De Zandschulp is really a specimen to analyze, couldn’t capitalize and gave the match away,” a fan commented, highlighting the dramatic swings that defined the match.

“Stan the Man,” one admirer summed it up perfectly, while another teased, “Imagine Stan ending Musetti’s Torino dreams 🤪 (It’s possible.)” For Lorenzo Musetti, the stakes couldn’t be clearer. Sitting at No. 9 in the Race to Turin with 3,685 points, he trails Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime, currently in eighth with 3,845 points, who recently fell to Jannik Sinner at the Paris Masters. For the Italian, the equation is brutally simple: win the title in Athens, or watch his ATP Finals dream slip away. Currently ninth in the Race to Turin with 3,685 points, only a title will secure his spot at the ATP Finals. 

But standing in his way is a 40-year-old Swiss marvel, a man who refuses to fade quietly.