Tennis great Roger Federer graced the Rod Laver Arena once again for a practice match against Casper Ruud ahead of the Australia Open 2026. The match was Federer's return to the venue after 6 years. The Swiss legend marked it in grand style, clinching a tie-break victory over the World No.12.

Roger Federer has returned to the Australian Open this year to participate in an exhibition match for the inaugural Opening Ceremony.

Recently, in a conversation with the Australian Open's media team, Federer was asked about his favourite Australian Open title. The Swiss legend won his 2017 title, defeating Rafael Nadal in the final. "I guess it has to be 2017 just because of the way it ended in the finals against Rafa," he said.

Roger Federer has returned to the Australian Open for the first time since his retirement in 2022. The tennis legend won six of his 20 Grand Slams at the Australian Open, including the last major of his career in 2018.

The 44-year-old Federer clinched six of his 20 Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open tournament. The great Tennis player has a 102-15 win-loss record at the event, according to the ATP Infosys Win/Loss Index. Federer last competed in Melbourne in 2020, when he lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.