The 'Stanimal' is roaring once again! Stan Wawrinka has not just made a strong start to his farewell tour; he's shattered expectations by breaking back into the ATP Top 100 at the incredible age of 40.
Key Points:
- Stan Wawrinka re-enters ATP Top 100 at age 40, currently ranked No. 98.
- He is the first 40-something in the Top 100 since Roger Federer in 2022.
- Marin Cilic climbs to No. 43, marking a significant comeback from injuries.
- Karolina Muchova and Maria Sakkari see major boosts after impressive tournament runs.
- Teenage sensation Victoria Mboko makes her debut in the WTA Top 10.
A 'Stanimal' Revival: Wawrinka Defies Time
Wawrinka's 2026 start is nothing short of phenomenal. With five victories already under his belt, he's surpassed his entire 2025 win count. His impressive run to the second round of the ATP 500 Rotterdam event propelled him from No. 106 to No. 98.
This dramatic return to the elite marks his first time in the Top 100 since 2024, underscoring his remarkable resilience and enduring passion for the game, even as he embarks on his final season on tour.
Joining Elite Company: The 40-Something Club
At 40 years old, Wawrinka now shares a rare and distinguished honor. He's the first player in his fifth decade to feature in the ATP Top 100 since the legendary Roger Federer.
Federer himself was 40 when he briefly held the No. 97 spot in 2022 during the Wimbledon period. Other veterans like Ivo Karlovic (40 in 2019) also touched the Top 100, while Feliciano Lopez narrowly missed the milestone, falling out just a week before his 40th birthday.
Comebacks and Breakthroughs: Other Major Ranking Shifts
The men's tour isn't the only one seeing dramatic ranking improvements. Marin Cilic, another Grand Slam champion, is making a powerful return after battling significant injury setbacks.
Cilic surged from No. 61 to No. 43 following his strong performance reaching the Rotterdam semifinals. This is his first appearance in the Top 50 since recovering from extensive knee surgeries that sidelined him for much of 2023 and 2024.
WTA Stars on the Rise
On the women's side, Karolina Muchova has reached a career-high ranking since her return in the summer of 2024 after undergoing wrist surgery. Her triumph at the WTA 1000 Doha propelled her from No. 19 to No. 11, marking the biggest title of her career.
Maria Sakkari also staged a strong comeback, jumping from No. 52 to No. 34 after reaching the Doha semifinals. Her impressive performance signals a full recovery after missing the 2024 fall season due to a shoulder injury that had seen her ranking drop significantly.
Mboko Makes History: A New Canadian Star
The WTA Top 10 now features a fresh and exciting face: Victoria Mboko. The 19-year-old Canadian sensation soared from No. 13 to No. 10 after her incredible performance in the Doha final, securing her place among the world's elite.
Mboko is only the seventh Canadian player, male or female, to ever crack a professional tennis Top 10 ranking. She's also the third-youngest Canadian to achieve this feat, standing alongside names like Carling Bassett-Seguso and Bianca Andreescu, showcasing a bright future for Canadian tennis.
Her incredible momentum is temporarily paused, however, as she recently withdrew from the Dubai tournament due to a right elbow injury, a precautionary measure hopefully for a quick return.
