The first Grand Slam of 2026 is now just a month away, and excitement is already building.
Last season’s Australian Open featured a strong title defence from Jannik Sinner and a maiden major triumph for Madison Keys.
Sinner went back-to-back in Melbourne while dropping just two sets throughout the tournament, and will look to become the second man in the Open Era to three-peat at the tournament in January, joining Novak Djokovic.
On the women’s side, Keys put together the best Grand Slam campaign of her career and overcame two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the final to hoist the trophy at Rod Laver Arena.
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The event is shaping up to be something special, and it will feature the return of a legend and six-time champion: Roger Federer.
Fans react to Roger Federer returning to the Australian Open
It was announced that Federer will make his way down under to headline the first-ever Australian Open opening ceremony.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner will also take part in the ‘Battle of the World No.1s’, joining Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt in an exhibition match.
Reacting to the news, one fan took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say: “The GOAT (Greatest of all time) is coming back to the Australian Open.”
This fan said he was ‘beyond excited’ about Federer’s return to Melbourne Park, while another claimed it was ‘the best news ever’.
One user stated: “I haven’t genuinely been happy about something in a while. Now I have to figure out how long he’s here and what his public appearances are.”
“I’m so happy I’m crying,” said a Federer fan, while another wrote: “This is really amazing to see.”
Roger Federer speaks about attending the opening ceremony
As per the Australian Open, Federer said: “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.
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“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, the challenge of competing against my biggest rivals, and always the overwhelming love and support of the Australian fans.
“Coming back to win the AO in 2017 is one of my most treasured Grand Slam memories, and backing it up to win in 2018 was another dream come true in Melbourne.
“I can’t wait to come down under again to the AO and create more fantastic moments with all the Aussie fans.”
Federer ended his nearly five-year Grand Slam drought at the Australian Open in 2017 when he defeated longtime rival Rafael Nadal in one of the most thrilling finals of all time to win his 18th major.
He defended his crown in 2018, beating Marin Cilic in the final that year to secure his 20th and final Grand Slam.
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