Stan Wawrinka Stuns with Vintage Comeback: Watch the Must-See Match Highlights

Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka rolled back the years at the Rotterdam Open 2026 on Wednesday, dismissing 17-year-old home hope Thijs Boogaard 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the ATP 500 event. The 40-year-old three-time Grand Slam champion, who is on a self-proclaimed “farewell tour” before retiring at season’s end, needed just 84 minutes to underline that his trademark backhand and competitive edge remain intact. Wawrinka entered Rotterdam seeking valuable ranking points to ensure direct entry into marquee tournaments later in 2026, and his opening-round win marked the widest age gap (23 years) between opponents in the tournament’s history. The Swiss No. 2 cracked 27 winners, including nine aces, and saved both break points he faced to silence a partisan Dutch crowd that rallied behind the teenage lucky loser. “People keep telling me I’m 40, but I still wake up ready to fight,” Wawrinka joked in his on-court interview. “This season is about enjoying every city one last time and showing the younger guys that I can still play some serious tennis.” Victory sets up a blockbuster second-round clash against eighth seed Félix Auger-Aliassime, a matchup that pits experience against explosive youth and promises prime-time billing. Wawrinka leads the Canadian 2-1 in their head-to-head, including a five-set thriller at Wimbledon 2024. Beyond the score line, the storyline feeds perfectly into Rotterdam’s narrative of generational change. Boogaard, born months after Wawrinka captured his first Challenger title, gained invaluable experience under the Ahoy Arena lights. “Facing Stan, a legend of our sport, is a lesson you can’t buy,” the Dutch teenager said. Fans have flocked to social media to celebrate Wawrinka’s evergreen shot-making, with clips of his single-handed backhand rocketing up highlight reels. Search interest for “Stan Wawrinka farewell tour,” “Wawrinka Rotterdam 2026” and “Wawrinka vs Boogaard age gap” spiked within hours of the Swiss star’s win, signalling robust global intrigue around his final season. Rotterdam is Wawrinka’s fourth event of 2026, following an emotional Australian Open exit and solid runs in Marseille and Doha. Should he progress deep into the draw this week, he would crack the ATP top 50 for the first time since 2023—an achievement that could extend his swansong beyond initial expectations. Key takeaways for tennis fans and SEO watchers alike: • Stan Wawrinka remains a must-follow athlete on his farewell circuit. • His victory over 17-year-old Thijs Boogaard delivers the biggest age-gap storyline of the 2026 Rotterdam Open. • A potential showdown with Félix Auger-Aliassime could trend across tennis and mainstream sports outlets. With vintage flair and modern relevance, Wawrinka’s Rotterdam resurgence ensures that every stop on his goodbye tour is appointment viewing—and prime click-bait for tennis enthusiasts searching for the sport’s next viral moment.