The tennis world is abuzz with the remarkable comeback of Stan Wawrinka, the 40-year-old Swiss star who is set to make a grand return to the Top 100 of the PIF ATP Rankings. But here's where it gets controversial: With his 41st birthday approaching in March, Wawrinka will become the oldest man in the Top 100 by more than two years. In a sport where age is often seen as a barrier, Wawrinka's journey is nothing short of inspiring.
Wawrinka's journey to the Top 100 began with a bang at the Australian Open in January. He became the oldest man since Ken Rosewall in 1978 to reach the third round in Melbourne, defeating Laslo Djere and Arthur Gea in five-set thrillers. But it wasn't just his age that made headlines; it was the sheer determination and skill that powered his comeback.
Returning to Europe, Wawrinka recorded main-draw victories in Montpellier and Rotterdam this month. His win against 17-year-old Thijs Boogaard at the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam on Wednesday ranked as the second-largest age gap in ATP Tour and Grand Slam history, trailing only Dominic Thiem's 2011 win over Thomas Muster. Twenty-three years and three months separated Wawrinka and Boogaard, a testament to the Swiss star's enduring legacy in the sport.
At 40, Wawrinka will stand as the oldest man in the Top 100 by more than two years. For perspective, Novak Djokovic, 38, sits at No. 3, while Adrian Mannarino, Marin Cilic, and Roberto Bautista Agut, all 37, also remain inside the elite bracket. The last 40-year-old to feature in the Top 100 was Roger Federer, who held No. 97 in June 2022.
Wawrinka reached a career-high No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings after he won the first of his three major titles at the Australian Open in January 2014. But his journey to the Top 100 is a testament to the fact that age is just a number in tennis, and that determination and skill can overcome any barrier. So, as Wawrinka prepares to make his grand return, the question remains: Can he maintain his form and stay in the Top 100? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: The tennis world is watching, and the debate is on.
