Roger Federer made a welcome return to the Australian Open, much to the delight of fans in Melbourne.
Federer played an Australian Open exhibition during the opening ceremony, taking to the court alongside Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter, and Lleyton Hewitt.
Home favorite Ashleigh Barty also made an appearance at the Australian Open warm-up event that took place at Rod Laver Arena.
Intriguingly, Swiss legend Federer also spent time in Melbourne playing a practice tie-break with ATP Tour ace Casper Ruud.
Federer beat Ruud 7-2, with Novak Djokovic now sharing his reaction to that match and the return of the 20-time Grand Slam champion, having attended the exciting exhibition.
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Speaking to Sony Sports Network, Djokovic said: “It was awesome seeing him again. I think not just speaking for myself, but all the people that were seeing him on that practice court hitting for an hour with Casper Ruud.
“He’s still got it, he’s always going to have it. I mean, everything looks so perfect, so smooth, as in his best days.
“He’s been around obviously with Laver Cup and he came to watch a few matches in Wimbledon, but I think he hasn’t been in Australia for quite a few years, and it’s great to have him back.”
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Casper Ruud shares how Roger Federer practice session took place
Ruud was always going to be in the shadow of Federer at Rod Laver Arena, as would have been the case with any other player.
The fans turned up in their numbers to see the Swiss icon in action, and he certainly didn’t disappoint them.
Sharing how the practice match came about, Ruud told Tennis Channel: “It was fun, it was just a bit coincidental that it happened.
“I was here. I got in Thursday night, and I was here practicing a bit, and I stopped by the Tennis Australia and Craig [Tiley], the tournament director’s office, and just said hello and good to see the guys again.
“And then just a bit randomly I think Roger had been in like 15 minutes before, and he said, ‘Hey, I want to hit tomorrow at 2-2:30 if I can, or with someone’.
“And then they just asked me if I wanted to do it. I said ‘Yes, of course’. Easy. That’s how it happened. So it was a bit lucky that I was there at the right place at the right time.
“It was fun. He just wanted an easy hit. I think he’s playing tomorrow the opening ceremony match, and just wanted to feel the ball. And it was really fun.
“Talked about everything from tennis to golf, family life, what it’s like for him now. Tried to ask him what does he do now, or stuff that he does now that he felt like he couldn’t do during his career. And it was fun.”
And when asked if the groundstrokes were good, Ruud responded: “Yeah, they were, as flawless as ever.”
While the Norwegian could have undoubtedly stepped up his approach somewhat, it would still have been a fantastic opportunity to practice against such a top player, even aged 44.
Ruud, currently ranked 13th on the ATP Tour, was drawn against Mattia Bellucci in round one of the Australian Open.
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