What Andre Agassi realised after playing Roger Federer for the first time at the Australian Open

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Andre Agassi and Roger Federer played together in an exhibition match during the 2026 Australian Open Opening Ceremony.

The former rivals joined forces to take on the Aussie duo of Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt on Rod Laver Arena.

With the match level at one set all, Agassi subbed himself off for Ash Barty, a move that proved effective.

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Agassi/Barty/Federer beat Hewitt/Rafter 2-4, 4-2, 4-2.

After the match, Jim Courier sat down with the five legends for a brief Q&A session.

During which Agassi and Federer looked back upon their one-and-only meeting down under.

Andre Agassi realised Roger Federer was the ‘Everest’ of the next generation during Australian Open match

Agassi and Federer only played one match at the Australian Open.

Meeting in the quarterfinals of the 2005 Australian Open, Federer, the defending champion, dominated Agassi in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Not a match that Agassi has fond memories of…

Andre Agassi and Roger Federer’s head-to-head record

“I don’t remember that one at all! I actually don’t think it happened. I really don’t think the match happened. This is AI right here, this is not real,” he said.

Federer had to be reminded of the score, but shared some kind words with Agassi about what it was like playing him.

“It was always a pleasure playing Andre [Agassi], are you kidding me?” he said.

“He was so different, and he had such incredible ball striking; it was a lot of running for us opponents against Andre.

“That was tough.”

Agassi then gave his verdict on his rivalry with Federer and their 2005 Australian Open clash.

“Every number one player in the world brings something so unique to the game,” he said.

“I watched Lleyton [Hewitt] do it, turned the transition game phenomenally, defence to offense, we saw fast players who stayed on defence.

“Then, all of a sudden, you play this guy, Roger Federer, and it was like time stood still.

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“You hit the ball, it leaves your racket, it does exactly what you wanted it to do, yet he had all the time in the world, and you couldn’t commit because he could throw it, he could change pace, he could move you north and south, east and west…”

“Ok, ok, ok, ok, that was a long time ago!” added Federer.

“I knew I was playing the Everest of the next generation there,” said Agassi.

“He made that painfully obvious that night.”

Federer was a four-time Grand Slam champion when they met in Melbourne 21 years ago.

The Swiss legend went on to add another 16 titles to his collection before retiring.

Where do Roger Federer and Andre Agassi rank among Grand Slam greats?

For all their success on tour, neither Federer nor Agassi holds the record for Grand Slam men’s singles titles.

That distinction belongs to one Novak Djokovic, who has won 24 major titles and is still searching for his 25th.

Federer sits third, ahead of Agassi, who is tied for sixth with Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors.

Agassi is at risk of falling down the rankings, though, due to the recent success of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

If Alcaraz can win two Grand Slam titles this year, just as he did in 2024 and 2025, he’d move level with Agassi on eight.

Sinner would need to win all four in 2026, but could overtake Agassi in the next couple of years.

Perhaps Alcaraz or Sinner will add another title to their tally at the Australian Open, which begins on Sunday, January 18.