Former tennis participant Roger Federer acknowledges followers in the course of the opening ceremony of Australian Open.
| Photograph Credit score: REUTERS
The Australian Open’s first formal opening ceremony grew to become the Roger Federer present on the eve of the season-opening main.
There was Crowded Home, the band, enjoying a set of 4 hits. There was a full home — a capability crowd within the 15,000-seat stadium.
Rod Laver, the good Australian participant of Grand Slam fame, was in the home. The 87-year-old Aussie was sitting courtside in Rod Laver Enviornment, the centre courtroom at Melbourne Park named in his honour.
Federer, the six-time Australian Open winner and 20-time Grand Slam champion, partnered previous champions Andre Agassi after which Ash Barty in an exhibition doubles match in opposition to Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt as the primary function of this system.
It went to script, with Federer successful the primary level regardless of framing a forehand after which emphatically ending off the victory with a leaping overhead winner.
Novak Djokovic, who has gained 10 Australian titles amongst his report 24 main championships, was there to look at.
The Australian Open fundamental draw singles competitions begin Sunday. Djokovic performs his opening match on Monday (January 19, 2026).
Australian Open organizers turned the 2026 version right into a three-week pageant of tennis, with 217,999 followers attending throughout six days to look at exhibitions, qualifying and the 1 Level Slam earlier than the primary draw began.
Federer was again in Australia for the primary time since 2021, making the journey now as a result of he retired from aggressive tennis earlier than he may do a farewell season tour.
“It actually really means a lot to me when folks like Rocket [Laver] present up,” Federer stated. “It is tremendous essential to be grateful” to earlier generations of stars.
Printed – January 18, 2026 03:53 am IST
