Roger Federer to return to Australian Open for first time since 2020
NewsThursday, 11 December 2025 at 21:55
Roger Federer will return to the Australian Open in 2026, coming back to the venue for the first time since 2020.
Federer has been retired since 2022, even though he played his last Grand Slam match at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships. All in all, it's been a few years since the Swiss Maestro was regularly seen on the tennis courts.
A few years into his retirement, Federer has yet to start regularly playing exhibitions, something he hinted at multiple times. In particular, he would want to have a tour of exhibition events together with his former rival and good friend, Rafael Nadal.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion appeared on the tennis court at the Shanghai Masters, but it seems that he might start playing more and more exhibition events in 2026, at least that's how the start of his year will look.
Federer will headline the Battle of the World No.1s at the Australian Open, which will be held during the inaugural Opening Ceremony in Melbourne. That will be held on Saturday, January 17th, 2026, the night before the start of the main draw.
Andre Agassi, and home former players Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt will be the other three players on the tennis court. Federer announced his participation in a playful Instagram video.
"I've been thinking it’s really cold here in Switzerland. I need to make a trip again and head back Down Under."
Roger Federer shares his excitement about returning to the Australian Open
The Australian Open is a special Grand Slam for Roger Federer. He became only the third man to win six titles in Melbourne. In 2018, he, Novak Djokovic, and Roy Emerson were the three six-time Australian Open winners.
Although Djokovic has since become the most successful man in the tournament's history, having won the event 10 times, Federer still remembers it as the Happy Slam and looks forward to returning to Melbourne Park.
"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. 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 AO 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 to the AO and create more fantastic moments with all the Aussie fans."
Popular News
Just In
Loading