Veteran Stan Wawrinka is not concerned about getting the Australian Open wildcard after a decent run in the ongoing United Cup. The 2026 season will be Wawrinka’s last year on the tour and he has kickstarted it like a fighter.

The Swiss registered a win against Arthur Rinderknech, beating him 5-7, 7-6, 7-6. But Wawrinka suffered a loss against Flavio Cobolli. Argentina’s Sebastian Baez then bested Wawrinka in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, in the United Cup quarterfinals.

“I think, like I said already yesterday or two days ago, I’m super happy if I get one. I want to play one more time. Of course, it’s my last year. Amazing memories from there, but I’m so grateful I received one last year. Wild card, it’s a wild card. I had one job to do if I wanted to play one more time was to be in the top 100, and I’m not,” said Stan Wawrinka.

“So far I’m happy we are here in Perth. We did amazing week. Enjoying that with the team. Going to Sydney, playing there again. Next week I’m going to play Auckland. Got the wild card there. I’m happy where I am right now, and I’m not worried too much about what’s going to happen in Melbourne.”

After suffering a straight set loss against Baez, Wawrinka said it was a tough match for him.

“Yeah, it was a tough match, of course. I think he played well. He went for it. He didn’t surprise me, because I did practice with him before starting here, the week, and with Magnus, my coach, we saw that he improved a lot compared to last year. He was putting more pressure. It was more difficult,” said Stan Wawrinka.

The 40-year-old admitted he failed to capitalise on his opportunities, which he could have bagged against the Argentine.

“Tonight I missed few opportunity to come back or to take the lead. I was thinking a little bit too much on what to do, but mainly because he was putting so much pressure on me, and he was always doing the right thing and always there. So credit to him for playing that well tonight.”

Wawrinka would look to keep fighting on the court in his swansong season.