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The Australian Open opens its first official opening ceremony roger federer A performance on the eve of the season opening.
have crowded houseThe band played a set of four hits. The 15,000-seat stadium was packed.
Rod LaverThe prestigious Grand Slam Australian great is right at home. The 87-year-old Australian sat courtside at Rod Laver Arena, here Melbourne The park is named after him.
Six-time Australian Open champion and 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer partners with former champions Andre Agassi and Ash Barty in an exhibition doubles match with Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt, a highlight of the program.
The match went according to script, with Federer winning the first point despite a forehand before decisively ending the victory with an overhead winner.
Novak Djokovic, who won 10 Australian titles among his record 24 majors, was in attendance.
The main singles matches of the Australian Open begin on Sunday. Djokovic will play his first match on Monday.
Australian Open organizers turned the 2026 Australian Open into a three-week tennis extravaganza, with 217,999 fans watching exhibition matches, qualifying rounds and a one-point Grand Slam before the main draw over six days.
Federer is back in Australia for the first time since 2021, with the trip coming as he retires from competitive tennis before ending the season on tour.
“When someone like Rocket (Laver) comes along, it really means a lot to me,” Federer said. “It’s very important to be grateful” to the stars of previous generations.
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More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis