Federer Returns To Melbourne And Steals Australian Open Spotlight

The Australian Open’s 2026 edition kicked off in Melbourne with a dazzling spectacle that had tennis fans buzzing, and there’s no doubt about who stole the show: Roger Federer. After more than two years away from competitive tennis, the Swiss maestro returned to Rod Laver Arena, not to chase another Grand Slam, but to remind everyone why he remains one of the sport’s most beloved icons. From an electrifying opening ceremony to a string of practice and exhibition matches, Federer’s presence brought a unique blend of nostalgia, excitement, and pure tennis joy to Melbourne Park.

On January 17, 2026, the Australian Open held its first-ever formal opening ceremony, transforming the event into a three-week festival of tennis. Over six days, a staggering 217,999 fans poured in to watch exhibitions, qualifying rounds, and the much-anticipated 1 Point Slam before the main draw began. The centerpiece of the evening? A star-studded exhibition doubles match that featured Federer, six-time Australian Open champion and 20-time Grand Slam winner, teaming up with past legends Andre Agassi and Ash Barty to take on Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt. The 15,000-seat Rod Laver Arena was packed to the rafters, with the great Rod Laver himself—at 87 years old—sitting courtside and conducting the coin toss.

The energy was palpable as Federer took the microphone to greet the crowd. "I have missed you and it is great to be back. It’s just where we left off, so many memories and nice to dive back into it," Federer said, his words resonating with fans who had waited years for his return to Melbourne. The match itself was a light-hearted affair, brimming with laughter, playful banter, and flashes of vintage Federer brilliance. Early on, Federer framed a forehand lob that miraculously landed in for a winner, drawing laughter from all four players and the crowd alike. The format—a first-to-four set structure—kept things moving, with the Australians clinching the first set 4-2, before Federer and his partners rallied to take the third set 4-2, with Ash Barty stepping in for Agassi and quickly finding her rhythm from the baseline.

Novak Djokovic, the 10-time Australian Open champion and current holder of a record 24 major titles, watched courtside, soaking in the festivities. The presence of so many legends—Federer, Agassi, Rafter, Hewitt, Barty, and of course Laver—made the night feel like a living tribute to tennis history. "It was beautiful," Federer reflected after the match. "It was fantastic. I couldn't be any happier. Just being back in Melbourne with my friends, legends, rivals, is always a thrill. I am a big historian of the game and looked back at who has paved the way for us and this is a beautiful moment for tennis and obviously I am looking forward to the Australian Open."

But Federer’s impact wasn’t limited to the exhibition court. On January 16, he delighted fans during a practice session with world number 13 Casper Ruud. The two played a tie-break on Rod Laver Arena, with Federer rolling back the years to claim a 7-2 victory. The highlight? A trademark one-handed backhand down the line that drew gasps from the crowd. Ruud, who had previously faced Federer in a straight-sets defeat at Roland Garros in 2019, was full of praise for the Swiss legend. "He looks as smooth as ever, he’s an icon both on and off the court," Ruud told reporters. "We took it pretty easy. I think we both could have played with more intensity, but it was fun for the crowd to see a few points. And seeing Roger again was really enjoyable, both for me and for the thousands of fans who were there. It’s an honour to share the court with him."

Federer, now 44 and having been retired for 837 days, was candid about his new priorities. In a press conference, he explained, "I'm super still active, busy, doing loads of sports. Tennis is part of that. I feel like I hold the racquet a lot. Do I train a lot myself? No, not at all. I still feel like I play quite a lot of tennis. That's why I haven't played singles yet, because I haven't done enough of it. So doubles, Pat probably feels the same way." His last competitive singles match had come in 2021, a loss to Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon after a series of knee surgeries. Since then, Federer had attended Wimbledon in 2025 as a guest and Roland Garros as part of a tribute to Rafael Nadal, but this marked his first exhibition match at a Grand Slam since retiring.

The nostalgia was thick in the air, but there was also a sense of passing the torch. The main draw singles competitions began on January 18, with Carlos Alcaraz and two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner set to headline the action. Djokovic, ever the favorite, would open his campaign on Monday, January 19. Meanwhile, Casper Ruud, buoyed by his experience with Federer, prepared to face Italian Mattia Bellucci in the first round. Ruud’s section of the draw is no cakewalk, featuring seeded threats like Denis Shapovalov, Valentin Vacherot, and Ben Shelton, as well as dangerous unseeded names such as Gael Monfils and Marin Cilic. Should Ruud advance, a likely second-round clash with Jaume Munar awaits—a player who has only beaten Ruud once in their seven meetings, but who has climbed to world No. 39 with impressive form.

For Federer, the trip to Australia was about more than just reliving old glories. Having retired before he could embark on a proper farewell tour, this visit gave him a chance to reconnect with fans and the sport he helped define. "It really truly means so much to me when people like Rocket (Laver) show up," he said. "It’s super important to be grateful to earlier generations of stars." The sentiment echoed throughout Rod Laver Arena, where generations of tennis greatness converged under one roof.

The opening ceremony itself had all the makings of a festival, with the band Crowded House performing a set of four hits to kick off the evening. The full house—every one of the 15,000 seats filled—testified to the enduring appeal of tennis and its stars, both past and present. As the Australian Open’s main draw gets underway, the echoes of Federer’s return and the celebration of tennis history will surely linger in Melbourne for weeks to come.

With the tournament just getting started, all eyes now turn to the new generation of contenders, but for a magical weekend, it was Roger Federer who reminded everyone why tennis is, at its heart, a sport built on legacy, passion, and unforgettable moments.