Wawrinka, 40, Makes Cobolli Earn It in Three-Set United Cup Battle

Event: United Cup 2026
Date: January 4, 2026
Location: Perth, Australia
Venue: RAC Arena
Score: Cobolli def. Wawrinka 6–4, 5–7, 7–6

Stan Wawrinka’s farewell season hasn’t started quietly — and it hasn’t started ceremonially either.

In Perth, the 40-year-old Swiss legend pushed Flavio Cobolli to the edge in a three-set United Cup battle that looked nothing like a victory lap. Cobolli eventually came through, but only after navigating the kind of resistance that reminds you why Wawrinka, even now, remains one of the tour’s most demanding opponents.

This wasn’t a passing-of-the-torch moment. It was a match where the torch still burned.

What Actually Happened

From the opening games, Wawrinka made it clear this wouldn’t be decided by age or narrative. He served with intent, stepped into the backhand early, and forced Cobolli to win points the long way — through depth, patience, and discipline.

Cobolli responded well. The Italian showed composure under pressure, absorbing Wawrinka’s pace and finding his own moments to accelerate, particularly when rallies stretched beyond neutral exchanges. When chances came, he took them — but none came easily.

The match ultimately turned on margins. Tight service games. Extended rallies that demanded precision. A deciding set where both players held firm until the final stretch, with Cobolli finally breaking through by staying aggressive without overreaching.

Wawrinka didn’t fade. He didn’t hand anything over. Cobolli had to earn every part of it.

Why It Mattered

For Cobolli, this was the kind of win that doesn’t show up fully in the scoreline. Beating a three-time Grand Slam champion in his farewell season carries weight — not because of sentiment, but because Wawrinka still asks the right questions on court.

For Wawrinka, it was another signal that his final year won’t be symbolic. He can still impose patterns, still punish hesitation, and still force younger players to prove they belong in the same space.

There was also a quieter layer to the night. More than two decades ago, Wawrinka played Cobolli’s father on the Challenger circuit. On this court, against the son, the match felt like tennis time compressed — experience pressing against possibility.

One Thing to Watch Next

Cobolli’s challenge now is consistency. Wins like this matter most if they’re followed up — especially early in the season.

As for Wawrinka, farewell season or not, he’s still capable of making matches uncomfortable. Anyone drawing him early this year should expect exactly that.