Tennis fans Down Under are set for a decent start to the Grand Slam season in January, as Australian Open organisers have announced that legend Roger Federer will headline the tournament’s first-ever official Opening Ceremony.
The six-time Australian Open champion will make a highly-anticipated return to Rod Laver Arena, the scene of some of his greatest victories, for a special tribute and an exhibition match.
Battle of the World No.1s
The Swiss Maestro’s return will be the centrepiece of the inaugural ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, January 17, the evening before the main draw officially kicks off.
Federer, who retired in 2022, will lead a unique event dubbed the “Battle of the World No.1s.” He is set to be joined by fellow iconic rivals and former world number ones, including:
- Andre Agassi
- Pat Rafter
- Lleyton Hewitt
The Happy Slam
Federer’s last appearance at Melbourne Park was in 2020 (during the Covid period), and this exhibition will give Australian fans the opportunity to officially celebrate his extraordinary legacy at the ‘Happy Slam’, a phrase Federer himself famously coined.
In a statement released by Australian Open organisers, Federer expressed his excitement for the return:
“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,” 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… I can’t wait to come down under again to the AO and create more fantastic moments with all the Aussie fans.”
Australian Open Tournament Director, Craig Tiley, added that the ceremony marks a new tradition for the major. “This inaugural Opening Ceremony will mark the start of a new tennis season in spectacular fashion,” Tiley said. “I can’t wait to see Roger back on Rod Laver Arena, along with other greats of the game Andre, Pat and Lleyton.”
Some of us got the chance to see Federer earlier this year at the Shanghai Masters, but this should be an even bigger event for tennis fans!