Federer Shines At Australian Open Ceremony As Festival Begins

The 2026 Australian Open has kicked off in style, transforming Melbourne Park into a three-week festival of tennis that’s already captured the imagination of fans worldwide. The excitement began on January 16 with the tournament’s first-ever formal opening ceremony at the iconic Rod Laver Arena. The legendary band Crowded House took center stage, delivering a hit-filled performance to a packed house of 15,000, while tennis royalty like Rod Laver himself, now 87, watched from courtside. The night wasn’t just about music—it was a celebration of tennis history and the stars who have shaped the sport.

Among those stars was Roger Federer, the six-time Australian Open champion and 20-time Grand Slam winner. Federer, back in Australia for the first time since 2021, took to the court for an exhibition doubles match alongside past champions, squaring off against Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt. The crowd roared as Federer won the first point, even after framing a forehand, and then sealed the exhibition with his signature flair—a leaping overhead winner. Reflecting on the moment, Federer said, “It’s super important to be grateful to earlier generations of stars. It really truly means so much to me when people like Rocket (Laver) show up.”

This year’s Australian Open is more than just another Grand Slam. Organizers have expanded the event into a sprawling festival, drawing over 217,000 fans in just the six days of exhibitions and qualifying before the main draw. The official main draw began on Sunday, January 18, and will run until Sunday, February 1, making it the first major tennis event of the year and, as always, a highlight on the global sports calendar.

Melbourne, often dubbed the sporting capital of Australia, is buzzing with anticipation. The tournament, affectionately known as the “happy slam,” is renowned as the highest-attended Grand Slam, with last year’s edition pulling in a staggering 1.2 million visitors. This year, the festival atmosphere is even more palpable, with fans flocking to the grounds to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars and local heroes.

The qualifying rounds, held from January 12 to 15, were fiercely contested. Players outside the top 100 battled for one of 16 coveted spots in both the men’s and women’s singles main draws, needing to win three matches to qualify. Australian hopes were high, with twelve men and thirteen women from the host nation entering the fray. On the men’s side, familiar names like Bernard Tomic, Alex Bolt, Jason Kubler, and Marc Polmans led the charge, while the women’s draw featured Astra Sharma, Maddison Inglis, Olivia Gadecki, and Arina Rodionova, among others.

Bernard Tomic, once ranked world No. 17 and a former Wimbledon quarterfinalist, found himself in the spotlight again. After years away from the Grand Slam limelight—having played just one major in the past six years—Tomic began his 2026 campaign with a hard-fought win over Bolivian Hugo Dellien. “It was a little bit swirly, I was a little bit nervous as well at the start. I haven’t played many big matches over the last year. The atmosphere was incredible,” Tomic said after his victory. He admitted, “It’s something that has been my sort of goal, to qualify at a slam again. Maybe at Wimby or here. I know I’m still good enough to compete with these top guys. But it’s just a matter of surface conditions. Everything has to lay out for me at this time, at this age … I’m having fun.” Tomic’s next test would be against British player Arthur Fery, with just two wins separating him from a coveted main draw spot.

The official draw, unveiled on January 15 in an event hosted by Australian tennis personalities Jelena Dokic and Todd Woodbridge, added further intrigue. Wildcards on the men’s side went to Australians Jordan Thompson and Christopher O’Connell, as well as three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka. Thompson, the world No. 113, had initially been slated for qualifying but was bumped straight into the main draw. Other notable Aussies already in the main event included Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, Adam Walton, and Thanasi Kokkinakis, ensuring strong local representation.

On the women’s side, anticipation is sky-high for the return of world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who’s aiming to bounce back after last year’s final loss to Madison Keys. Sabalenka, fresh off a win at the Brisbane International, is tipped to be a major contender. Other names to watch include Coco Gauff—who bested Sabalenka at last year’s French Open—world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, the reigning Wimbledon champion, and world No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, who made a deep run at the US Open before falling to Sabalenka.

The men’s field is equally stacked. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are locked in a battle for the sport’s top spot, with Sinner coming off last year’s Australian Open and Wimbledon triumphs, while Alcaraz boasts victories at the French and US Opens. World No. 4 Novak Djokovic, a ten-time Australian Open champion, is also in the mix, despite having withdrawn from the Adelaide International the previous week to focus on his Melbourne preparations. “My focus is now on my preparation for the Australian Open and I look forward to arriving in Melbourne soon and seeing all the tennis fans in Australia,” Djokovic shared with fans. Home favorite Alex de Minaur, currently ranked world No. 7, is also expected to make waves, while Nick Kyrgios, citing fitness and recovery, announced he’ll be focusing on doubles this year rather than the singles draw. “This tournament means everything to me but I’d rather give my spot to someone who’s ready to make their moment count. It’s all building blocks and I’ll be back next year and pumped to compete,” Kyrgios said on Instagram.

This year’s Australian Open is also notable for its record prize pool, which has increased by 16 percent. The winners of the singles titles will walk away with a cool $4.15 million, adding an extra layer of motivation for the world’s best.

Fans eager to follow the action can tune in on Channel 9, Stan Sport, and the official tournament website ausopen.com, ensuring no one misses a moment of the drama unfolding at Melbourne Park.

With the main draw singles competition underway and the finals set for January 31 (women’s) and February 1 (men’s), the stage is set for unforgettable moments, upsets, and triumphs. As the first Grand Slam of 2026 gathers steam, all eyes are on Melbourne to see who will rise, who will falter, and who will etch their name into tennis history. The action is ongoing, and the excitement is only just beginning.