Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Roger Federer Returns to Melbourne After 2022, Headlining Australian Open 2026 Ceremony With Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt

Federer returns to Melbourne for the 2026 AO’s first opening ceremony exhibition event.

Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Roger Federer will step back into the Australian summer in January 2026, marking his first appearance at Melbourne Park since retiring in 2022. The 44-year-old confirmed his return through a playful social media video, saying, “It’s very cold in Switzerland; I need to take a trip and return to the southern hemisphere.” His visit coincides with the inaugural Australian Open Opening Ceremony on January 17, one day before main draw play begins.

🇨🇭✈️🇦🇺 Roger Federer is heading back to Australia for the first time since 2020 pic.twitter.com/sL3fSjQWvC
— Olly Tennis 🎾 🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) December 11, 2025

Federer Set for the Battle of the World No. 1s Exhibition

Tournament organizers announced that Federer will lead a special night built to honor past champions while setting the tone for the fortnight ahead. It will be his first time back in the venue since 2021, and fans have not seen him compete there since the 2020 semi-final against Novak Djokovic.

The official planned exhibition, titled the ‘Battle of the World No. 1s,’ brings together four former leaders of the sport. Federer will join Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter, and Lleyton Hewitt for it. Agassi owns eight major titles, including four in Melbourne. Rafter captured two US Opens, and Hewitt lifted two Slams of his own while becoming one of Australia’s most popular competitors of his era.

Tournament director Craig Tiley reflected the excitement surrounding the evening, saying, “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 is set to be joined by Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt in the “Battle of the World No.1s” at the Australian Open’s inaugural Opening Ceremony 🔥 https://t.co/4y1tUKGbuq
— TENNIS (@Tennis) December 11, 2025

Federer’s history with the Australian Open is woven through the numbers as much as the memories. He won six of his 20 major titles here and still holds the record for most match wins in the tournament with 102. He also assembled a run of 21 consecutive main draw appearances, finishing with a 102-15 record.

Only Wimbledon gave him more victories with 105. His connection to Melbourne is personal as well as statistical. “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,” he said.

“I need to make a trip again and head back Down Under.” 😍@rogerfederer will be back at AO for first time since 2020 🫶 pic.twitter.com/FX5cnoR8Fv
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) December 11, 2025

Federer added that winning the title in 2017 remains one of his most meaningful accomplishments, with the 2018 triumph serving as another lasting highlight. “I can’t wait to come down under again to the AO and create more fantastic moments with all the Aussie fans.”

Mandatory Image Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

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Rudra Dubey

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.