Roger Federer is heading back to Melbourne Park next month, and tennis fans couldn’t be more thrilled.
The Swiss maestro will headline the inaugural Australian Open Opening Ceremony on Saturday, January 17, 2026 – marking his first appearance at the venue since hanging up his racket in September 2022.
Tournament organisers confirmed the news on Friday, with the special event taking place the evening before main draw action kicks off.
It’s been quite some time since Federer graced Rod Laver Arena. The 44-year-old hasn’t set foot at Melbourne Park since 2021, and his last competitive match there was his 2020 semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic.
Roger Federer will return to tennis next month
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The ceremony will feature a mouth-watering exhibition match dubbed the ‘Battle of the World No.1s’, bringing together four absolute legends of the sport.
Federer will share the court with eight-time major winner Andre Agassi, who claimed four Australian Open titles himself, alongside beloved Aussie icons Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt.
Rafter won two US Open championships during his career, while Hewitt lifted two Grand Slam trophies of his own.
It’s a rare reunion of former world number ones that promises to deliver pure nostalgia for fans lucky enough to witness it.
Tournament director Craig Tiley said: “I can’t wait to see Roger back on Rod Laver Arena, along with other greats of the game Andre, Pat and Lleyton.”
Roger Federer won the Australian Open an astonishing six times – only Novak Djokovic has more
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Federer’s love affair with Melbourne runs deep. The six-time champion holds the record for most match wins at the Australian Open with 102 victories, and he spent an incredible 310 weeks at the top of the world rankings during his playing days.
He’s the one who coined the phrase ‘Happy Slam’ for the tournament, and it clearly still means the world to him.
“It still makes me smile when I think about all the moments I’ve had here,” Federer told The Herald Sun.
His back-to-back triumphs in 2017 and 2018 remain among his most treasured Grand Slam memories, particularly the 2017 comeback victory against Rafael Nadal.
This return gives Australian fans something they’ve been waiting years for – a proper chance to say goodbye.
Australian Open fans have been desperate to give Roger Federer the send-off he deserves
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Federer never got the grand farewell his remarkable career deserved. A serious knee injury kept him away from Melbourne in 2021 and 2022, and his tearful retirement at the Laver Cup meant no final standing ovation on a match court.
Now, Australia is rolling out the red carpet.
“I can’t wait to come down under again to the AO and create more fantastic moments with all the Aussie fans,” Federer said.
Tickets for the Opening Ceremony are now on sale, with the event also featuring major music acts and entertainment.
