Wearing tribute to infamous Roland Garros shorts, Stan Wawrinka shrugs off place in tennis fashion history

MELBOURNE, Australia—Stan Wawrinka has turned the nostalgia vibes all the way up at the 2026 Australian Open this week, reaching the third round to kick off what will likely be his final season on tour.

At 40 years old, the 2014 champion turned back the clock to outlast Frances Arthur Gea in five grueling sets, 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 7-6 (10-3) and enjoy his best run at a Grand Slam tournament since the 2023 US Open.

But on the court, his outfit was as much a tribute to his illustrious career as his game on Thursday, the Swiss veteran donning a shirt that pays tribute to the plaid Yonex shorts in which he won the 2015 Roland Garros title.

Very few players could successfully reference a look they wore over a decade ago, but Wawrinka was nonetheless reticent to endorse the idea that those shorts were a part of tennis’ fashion continuum:

Q. If I can ask about the small detail on your shirt that seems to be a tribute to the shorts you wore at the French Open. Fashion history, what does it mean to be a little part of that?

STAN WAWRINKA: I'm not part of fashion history. People remember that short because it was not the best-looking short. Also because I did won the French Open. That's why we talk so much about it.

No, I'm happy with the clothes I'm having right now. I think they're good. I'm happy to wear them.

Fans were undoubtedly heartened to see the shoutout, a recognition to their years supporting the former world No. 3, and they will have another shot to see Wawrinka on court in Melbourne as he prepares to take on No. 9 seed Taylor Fritz for the chance to reach a first Grand Slam fourth round since he made the quarterfinals of this very tournament in 2020.