Roger Federer is set to grace the 2026 Australian Open with his legendary presence. The Swiss, a former six-time champion in Melbourne, will be a part of the hardcourt Major’s inaugural opening ceremony alongside fellow men’s tennis icons Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt. The former No. 1 and 20-time Major winner is also slated to headline the ‘Battle of the World No. 1s’; a high-profile exhibition clash featuring the Swiss, the American, and the Australian duo.
The option of a meet-and-greet with Federer ahead of the exhibition match was also accessible so far for fans willing to shell out a staggering $20,000 for VIP tickets. Unfortunately though, that option is no longer available, as all the VIP tickets have been sold out well ahead of the opening ceremony. As things stand, fans who want to witness the Swiss in person at Melbourne Park can pay $2,500. However, those who do will only be offered courtside seats for a Q&A with Federer along with beverages.
The 44-year-old’s return to the Australian Open was confirmed by the Melbourne Major in December 2025. Reflecting on his fond memories of the Grand Slam, the 103-time career singles titlist 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’ 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.”
“One Of My Most Treasured Grand Slam Memories” – Roger Federer Named His Two Most Cherished Australian Open Title Triumphs
Federer’s final two Australian Open title triumphs came in 2017 and 2018. In 2017, he defeated great rival Rafael Nadal in a five-set thriller, and the following year, the Swiss edged Marin Cilic in another five-set epic. According to Federer, these two victories remain the most special for him when it comes to his most cherished experiences at the Australian Open over the years. The Swiss said:
“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 last competitive outing in Melbourne came in 2020, when he exited the tournament in the semis following a straight-set loss to Novak Djokovic.
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