Roger Federer steals the show at Australian Open's first opening ceremony
The Australian Open's first opening ceremony became the Roger Federer show on the eve of the season-opening major.
There was Crowded House, the band, playing a set of four hits. There was a full house — a capacity crowd in the 15,000-seat stadium.
Rod Laver, the great Australian player of grand slam fame, was in the house. The 87-year-old Aussie was sitting courtside in Rod Laver Arena, the centre court at Melbourne Park named in his honour.
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Fireworks go off over Rod Laver Arena at the end of the inaugural Australian Open opening ceremony. Eddie Jim
Federer, the six-time Australian Open winner and 20-time grand slam champion, partnered past champions Andre Agassi and then Ash Barty in an exhibition doubles match against Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt as the main feature of the program.
It went to script, with Federer winning the first point despite framing a forehand and then emphatically finishing off the victory with a leaping overhead winner.
After the legends' match came a panel talk run by American tennis great and interview extraordinaire Jim Courier, and then a one-on-one interview between Courier and Federer.
Novak Djokovic, who has won 10 Australian titles among his record 24 major championships, was there to watch.
The Australian Open main-draw singles competitions start on Sunday. Djokovic plays his opening match on Monday.
Australian Open organisers turned the 2026 edition into a three-week festival of tennis, with 217,999 fans attending across six days to watch exhibitions, qualifying and the 1 Point Slam before the main draw started.
Federer was back in Australia for the first time since 2021, making the trip now because he retired from competitive tennis before he could do a farewell season tour.
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“It really truly means so much to me when people like Rocket [Laver] show up,” Federer said.
The ceremony ended with fireworks going off above Rod Laver Arena.
"This is now a tradition," said Australian tennis great Jelena Dokic on the Nine broadcast.
"How good was tonight? Not just the tennis, but the laughs, and to really hear the insight from the players.
"It's only going to get bigger and better."
Ash Barty and Roger Federer give each other a high-five. Getty
Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Rafter, Andre Agassi, Ash Barty and Roger Federer embrace after the legends' match. AP
Roger Federer greets the crowd. Getty
A spectator shows his admiration of Roger Federer. Getty
Roger Federer and co. after the legends' match. Getty
