It’s been six years since Roger Federer last played in Melbourne Park. The Swiss pro has already retired from tennis, but for the 2026 Australian Open, he has returned to play an exhibition match in the tournament’s Opening Ceremony on Saturday.
It’s the first-ever Opening Ceremony in Melbourne Park at the Rod Laver Arena, where legends of the sport were honored and celebrated.
Is Roger Federer Playing Again?
No, Roger Federer is not competing in the 2026 Australian Open. He retired from professional tennis in 2022, his last competition being at the Laver Cup that year.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion played in the ‘Battle of the World No. 1s’ exhibition alongside other greats like Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt, and Patrick Rafter. It served as a formal farewell to Federer, who has won six Australian Open titles. Before that, Federer also practiced with Casper Ruud and went on to win the tiebreaker 7-2.
The last time Federer competed on these courts was in 2020. That year, he reached the semifinals, where Novak Djokovic ended his spirited run. As such, he never got a proper farewell since he didn’t play the following two years before hanging up his shoes.
Reflecting on his experience and memories at the “Happy Slam,” Federer said:
“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’ [the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup] 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.”
Federer’s first Australian Open win came in 2004, defeating Marat Safin in the final, 7–6(7–3), 6–4, 6–2. He won back-to-back in Melbourne in 2006-07 and again in 2017-18. Moreover, in the 2010 Australian Open final, he defeated Andy Murray, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6(13–11).
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