- Swiss legend will take part in AO 2026 Opening Ceremony
- Will take on likes of Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi
Tennis maestro Roger Federer has returned to Melbourne Park for the first time since 2020 – and he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
Federer, 44, is on a nostalgic trip, and in good news for rusted-on fans of the 20-time Grand Slam champion, he will dust off his famed Wilson racquet to play a series of exhibition matches.
First was a hit against Norway’s Casper Ruud on Friday – and Federer will return to Rod Laver Arena to headline the inaugural AO 2026 Opening Ceremony on Saturday night alongside the likes of Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi in a ‘Battle of World No.1s’ hit-out.
The occasion will also double as an opportunity for fans to farewell the sporting icon, who never formally said goodbye to his many supporters on Australian soil.
Federer reached the semi-finals of AO 2020, losing in straight sets to Novak Djokovic, and didn’t return before calling time on his historic 24-year playing career in 2022.
He has been joined Down Under by his parents, Lynette and Robert, as well as his wife Mirka and the couple’s children, as they celebrate Federer’s decorated career.
Tennis maestro Roger Federer has returned to Melbourne Park for the first time since 2020 – and he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else (pictured, with his mother Lynette)
Federer’s wife Mirka and the couple’s children have also joined their famous father in Melbourne
Federer will once again grace Rod Laver Arena to headline the AO 2026 Opening Ceremony on Saturday night alongside the likes of Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi
‘I feel good to rip the band-aid off and show up on a big court like Rod Laver Arena. I need to get out there, because it’s too easy and too convenient just to stay home,’ Federer told reporters.
‘For me personally, being on the court with Lleyton will be great, and Pat, who I always loved playing against – even though I never beat him. He was one of my favourite players.
‘And then Andre, I was fortunate to play against him 10 times or so. Just being together with those guys is going to be amazing.’
Federer went on to confirm he was happy to retire on his terms – and rates his 2017 triumph against Rafael Nadal across five sets as his favourite Australian Open title.
And when asked if Brazilian João Fonseca could become the third elite man in the men’s singles hierarchy, joining Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Federer was quick to counter.
‘You don’t want to be the third guy, you want to be the guy,’ he said.
Federer made his Australian Open debut in 2000, drawing former world number two and 1989 French Open champion Michael Chang.
The young gun outclassed his American rival in straight sets, winning a Grand Slam match for the first time.
Federer may have retired in 2022, but his popularity with fans remains as strong as ever (pictured)
The Swiss maestro won six titles at Melbourne Park, with his 2017 triumph against Rafael Nadal his favourite
Federer was not done yet, defeating Jan Kroslak in the second round.
While his campaign ended following a defeat to Arnaud Clement in the third round, the stage was set for an epic career.
And Federer didn’t disappoint, finishing with six Australian Open titles and 20 majors to his name.
