Australian Open 2026: Roger Federer confirms return to Melbourne for ‘very special’ star-studded match at Opening Ceremony
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Published 12/12/2025 at 10:13 GMT
Roger Federer is to attend the inaugural Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Australian Open. The legendary Swiss last appeared in Melbourne nearly six years ago, when he was defeated by Novak Djokovic in the men's semi-finals. The 44-year-old will join four-time Australian Open champion Andre Agassi, along with Australian superstars Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt for a special match next month.
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Six-time Australian Open champion Roger Federer will make his long-awaited return to Melbourne Park next month as part of the inaugural Opening Ceremony fanfare, over three years after he retired from professional tennis.
The last time the 44-year-old was seen at the tournament was back in 2020, when the Swiss was still very much competing at the sharp end of the sport, culminating in the then world No. 3 reaching the semi-finals, where he was beaten in straight sets by eventual winner Novak Djokovic.
Notably, that marked Federer’s last appearance prior to undergoing multiple knee surgeries, but now he will receive the opportunity to show his appreciation for Australian fans.
To the delight of those in the stands, he will step onto the court for a special 'Battle of the World No 1s,' teaming up with fellow icons - four-time Australian Open champion Andre Agassi, along with Australian greats Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt - for a star-studded match.
Live coverage of the Australian Open will be on TNT Sports and discovery+.
"It feels like a lifetime ago that I coined the phrase the ‘Happy Slam’ for the Australian Open, and it still makes me smile when I think about all the moments I’ve had here," Federer said.
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"I’ve experienced so many emotions on Rod Laver Arena - the joy of lifting ‘Norman’ six times, the honour of playing in front of Rod Laver himself, the challenge of competing against my biggest rivals, and always the overwhelming love and support of the Australian fans.
"Coming back to win the Australian Open in 2017 is one of my most treasured Grand Slam memories and backing it up to win in 2018 was another dream come true in Melbourne.
"I can’t wait to come down under again and create more fantastic moments with all the Aussie fans."
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Federer fought to overcome his injuries in 2021 before eventually announcing his retirement a year later, in the autumn of 2022, with 20 Grand Slams to his name.
Next month's Australian Open Opening Ceremony will take place on Saturday, January 17 - a day before the action gets underway in the main draw.
Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said: "I’m thrilled we’re introducing this very special AO Opening Ceremony."
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"While the AO has a reputation for innovation and is renowned for pushing the boundaries, we are also the custodians of a proud 120-year history filled with some of the sport’s greatest champions.
"This inaugural Opening Ceremony will mark the start of a new tennis season in spectacular fashion. I can’t wait to see Roger back on Rod Laver Arena, along with other greats of the game Andre, Pat and Lleyton. And I know fans across Australia will be just as excited to share this moment with him."
Federer is enjoying some down time now, and was seen in an executive box on Thursday at St. Jakob-Park as he watched his beloved Basel suffer a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu is among six British players to have qualified directly for the first major of 2026.
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Former British No. 1 Katie Boulter has fallen short of earning automatic entry into the Australian Open and will almost certainly need to compete in qualifying rounds if she hopes to take part in the first Grand Slam of the upcoming season.
The 29-year-old was seeded 22nd at Melbourne Park back in January, but an injury-disrupted year combined with a dip in form has pushed her ranking down to 106.
At the moment, Boulter sits three spots outside the main draw cut-off. A total of 104 players gain direct entry, including several using protected rankings.
Unless enough players withdraw before the event begins, she will be required to battle through the qualifying stages to secure a place in the tournament.
There are 128 players in the main draw for the men's and women's tournaments at Grand Slam events.
The first two majors of the tennis year, the Australian Open, will both be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
You can watch all the action from the 2026 Australian Open live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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