Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter, and Lleyton Hewitt took part in an exhibition match during the Australian Open Opening Ceremony.
The four tennis legends were mic’d up for a hilarious exhibition on Rod Laver Arena.
Agassi, somewhat unsurprisingly… was the most vocal of the quartet, sharing jokes throughout.
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He wasn’t too interested in going to the net, something that didn’t exactly aid his and Federer’s chances of beating the Aussie duo.
Knowing that he was letting the side down, Agassi subbed himself off mid-match…
Ash Barty subs in for Andre Agassi to team with Roger Federer
With Federer/Agassi and Rafter/Hewitt level at one set all on Rod Laver Arena, the American called for an unexpected substitution.
“Hold up,” said Agassi.
“There’s only one chance of you winning out here today, if we can find another Aussie in this joint to come out here.
“Is there, by chance, another Aussie Open winner in here? An Ash Barty by chance?
“Ash, you better be here.”
The volume on Rod Laver Arena went up a notch as the camera panned to three-time Grand Slam champion Ash Barty, walking out.
“I’m back!” she exclaimed.
“How good is this?
“I’ve got the best partner ever!”
The substitution was an effective one, as the three-person team of Barty, Federer, and Agassi fought back to win 2-4, 4-2, 4-2.
Barty’s return was a welcome surprise, as the fans on Rod Laver Arena caught a rare glimpse of the 2022 Australian Open champion.
How did Ash Barty win the Australian Open?
After winning titles at the French Open and Wimbledon, Barty was desperate to add an Australian Open title to her collection.
She’d come close the three previous years, losing in the 2019 quarterfinals, 2020 semifinals, and the 2021 quarterfinals.
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Barty found another level in 2022, though, as she stormed to the title without dropping a single set.
Ash Barty at the 2022 Australian Open
- 2022 Australian Open 1R [WIN] vs Lesia Tsurenko, 6-0, 6-1
- 2022 Australian Open 2R [WIN] vs Lucia Bronzetti, 6-1, 6-1
- 2022 Australian Open 3R [WIN] vs Camila Giorgi, 6-2, 6-3
- 2022 Australian Open 4R [WIN] vs Amanda Anisimova, 6-4, 6-3
- 2022 Australian Open QF [WIN] vs Jessica Pegula, 6-2, 6-0
- 2022 Australian Open SF [WIN] vs Madison Keys, 6-1, 6-3
- 2022 Australian Open F [WIN] vs Danielle Collins, 6-3, 7-6
Having accomplished one of her big career goals, Barty announced her retirement from tennis just two months later.
“I’m so happy, and I’m so ready. I just know at the moment in my heart, for me as a person, this is right,” she said.
“I know that people may not understand it. I’m OK with that. Because I know that Ash Barty, the person, has so many dreams she wants to chase after that don’t necessarily involve travelling the world, being away from my family, from my home, which is where I’ve always wanted to be.”
Retiring from tennis, Barty relinquished the number-one ranking, which Iga Swiatek soon picked up.
Barty has since had two children, the second of which was born in June, 2025.
Still just 29 years of age, there’s time for the Aussie to come back…
Only time will tell if Barty will return to the WTA Tour in the future.
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