Federer to Return for Australian Open Exhibition, Nadal Recovers from Surgery

Roger Federer will participate in the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Australian Open, over three years after his professional retirement. The event will be held on Saturday, January 17, the night before the tournament officially begins, running from January 18 to February 1. Rafael Nadal, another of tennis’s “Big three,” recently underwent hand surgery and will miss the australian Open.

Federer and the ‘Battle of the World Numbers 1’

Federer’s exhibition match is titled the ‘Battle of the World Numbers 1.’ He will face André Agassi, Patrick Rafter, and Lleyton hewitt, all considered legends of their respective eras. This is a notable addition to the 2026 tournament.