Federer to headline the inaugural Australian Open opening ceremony, a legendary showdown continuing the “Happy Grand Slam” legacy

On December 12, 2025, the official Australian Open website announced a landmark event: the 2026 Australian Open will witness a historic moment—the first-ever opening ceremony will take place on January 17 (Saturday), the night before the main draw begins, at Rod Laver Arena. This century-old tournament will thus start a new tradition, honoring tennis legends and fan passion with a spectacular ceremony.

As a six-time Australian Open men’s singles champion, Roger Federer will be the centerpiece of the opening ceremony. This legendary player, known as the “King of Grass,” will finally have the chance to bid a formal farewell to his Australian supporters. During the ceremony, he will join tennis greats in a special exhibition match dubbed the “World No. 1 Showdown”: four-time Australian Open champion Andre Agassi, Australian legends Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt will gather on court. These four icons will ignite fans’ memories of tennis’s golden era with a star-studded contest.

“It feels like ages ago that I coined the phrase ‘Happy Grand Slam’ for the Australian Open, but whenever I think back on my moments here, I still smile warmly,” Federer recalled emotionally. At Rod Laver Arena, he has created countless unforgettable moments: the joy of lifting the Norman Brooks Challenge Cup six times, the honor of playing under the watchful eye of the legendary Rod Laver himself, fierce battles against rivals like Nadal and Djokovic, and above all, the unwavering passionate support from Australian fans. His triumphant return to Melbourne in 2017 and successful title defense in 2018 are cherished milestones in his career. This time, he looks forward to creating new memories with the fans.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley expressed great anticipation for the inaugural opening ceremony: “The Australian Open is known for pushing boundaries with innovation, while also carrying the responsibility of preserving 120 years of glorious history. This opening ceremony will launch the new season in a dazzling fashion,featuring Federer alongside Agassi, Rafter, and Hewittsharing the stage—a moment destined to become a classic in tennis history. I’m sure all Australian fans are eagerly awaiting this opportunity to celebrate with these legends.”

As legends return to the court and the new opening ceremony officially commences, Melbourne in 2026 is set to reignite the passion of the tennis world once again.

Looking forward to it...

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