Stan Wawrinka Returns to ATP Top 100 at 40 After Historic Dubai Triumph

Swiss three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka is turning the clock back in spectacular style at the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Fresh off becoming the first 40-year-old man to crack the ATP Top 100 in more than a decade — and the oldest by over two years — the Lausanne native stormed past wild-card entry duties to win his opening match, setting a new age record for the event. Next up is a headline-grabbing round-of-32 showdown with world No. 4 Daniil Medvedev, a clash Dubai organisers are billing as a meeting of two Grand Slam generations. Medvedev owns a 3-1 head-to-head edge, but Wawrinka’s trademark backhand has already silenced younger rivals this season and could yet spring another upset. Wawrinka says the secret to his renaissance is embracing tennis’ relentless evolution. “The new generation is always going to be better than the previous one,” he admitted when asked about Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, adding that veteran players must “work even harder” to compete. That mindset has already produced five tour-level victories in 2026, more than he managed during the whole of last year. Beyond the baseline, Dubai has provided a feel-good backdrop: Wawrinka and friend Stefanos Tsitsipas shared a traditional Ramadan iftar in the desert, a moment the Swiss described as “special” after years of globe-trotting on the circuit. The tournament’s relaxed vibe even lured Roger Federer into the stands on Day 2, his surprise visit drawing a grin and thumbs-up from his long-time Davis Cup teammate as fans erupted in applause. For search-hungry tennis followers, the storyline is irresistible: • Stan Wawrinka Top 100 return at age 40 • Dubai Championships 2026 results and schedule • Wawrinka vs Medvedev live stream and score updates • Wawrinka quotes on Alcaraz, Sinner and the next generation Should Wawrinka continue his surge under the Dubai lights, he will edge closer to becoming the oldest ATP quarter-finalist since Jimmy Connors. Even if the fairy-tale run ends, the 40-year-old has already reminded the sport — and search engines everywhere — that “Stan the Man” remains one of tennis’ most clickable names in 2026.