The organizers announced on Friday that Roger Federer will headline a “Battle of the World No.1s” to formally kick off the 2026 Australian Open in January, returning to the site of some of his greatest victories.
The Grand Slam at Melbourne Park will have its first “opening ceremony” when the legendary Swiss player returns to Rod Laver Arena for the first time since he retired in 2022.
It will feature a memorial to Federer, who won the Norman Brookes trophy six times out of his twenty major victories, and will take place the night before the tournament begins on January 18.
In addition, he will play alongside Australians Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt, as well as four-time Australian Open champion Andre Agassi.
“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 there,” Federer said.
“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.”
Additionally, Federer won the competition in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2010.
