Watch: Wawrinka Celebrates With a Cold One After Final Australian Open Match

He came, he saw, he conquered (a few rounds), he thrilled (hundreds of thousands) and then, when his last Australian Open ball had been struck in anger, 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka cracked open a beer and toasted the crowd.

Can you say iconic?

40-year-old Wawrinka, who wowed the tennis world by becoming the oldest man to reach the third round at a major since 1978 at this Australian Open, fell to Taylor Fritz in four sets, 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, and afterwards was regaled on court by Tournament CEO Craig Tiley as the fans serenaded him.

The Swiss’ final winner of his Australian Open career was struck beautifully in the final game of the match, a sizzling backhand crosscourt at the end of a long rally that brought the faithful to their feet.

Though his Australian Open career has come to an end, Wawrinka still has lots of tennis to play. He won’t retire til the end of the season, and judging from the excitement he caused in Melbourne, plenty of wild cards will be forthcoming.

Three-time major champion Wawrinka, who defeated Rafael Nadal in the 2014 Aussie Open final for his first major title, finishes his Australian Open career at No.9 on the tournament’s all-time men’s singles match win list (45-19).