Roger Federer, the greatest tennis player of his generation, returned to Australia to be the main star of the first official opening ceremony of the Australian Open, which took place as part of the 2026 tournament. This appearance marked his first visit to the country since 2021 and stirred a wave of emotions among fans.
During the ceremony, the 20-time Grand Slam champion participated in an exhibition doubles match, teaming up with Andre Agassi and Ashleigh Barty. They faced off against Australian tennis legends Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt. Federer was met with an enthusiastic response from the audience, who were once again able to enjoy his elegant play and unique style.
This event was part of an extensive tennis festival that took place over several weeks and attracted 217,999 spectators in just six days, highlighting the high interest in the tournament and Federer’s enduring popularity, despite retiring in 2022.
During his visit, Federer also commented on rumors of a possible return to professional sports via a wildcard invitation. He smiled and dismissed such speculation, emphasizing that his physical condition and mental readiness do not allow him to return to competition, adding that he is completely satisfied with life after retirement.
Throughout his career, Roger Federer won the Australian Open six times, and he once called the 2017 final against Rafael Nadal his favorite match in Melbourne. The opening ceremony served as a farewell to Australian fans and a tribute to Federer’s outstanding contribution to world tennis.
