The Australian Open will start for the first time with an opening ceremony. Roger Federer will participate in the event alongside other tennis legends.

Roger Federer, the legend of Swiss tennis, will return to Rod Laver Arena in January 2026, at the Australian Open, where he will participate in a special match titled 'Battle of the No. 1 in the World'. This event will mark the inauguration of a tournament opening ceremony, scheduled for the evening before the competition starts, on January 18. Federer, who has won the Norman Brookes trophy six times, will be honored during the ceremony.

Alongside him will be other tennis legends, such as Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter, and Lleyton Hewitt. Federer stated that returning to the Australian Open reminds him of the beautiful moments spent there, including the victories in 2017 and 2018, which remain among his most cherished memories. He also won the tournament in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2010.