When Roger Federer last stepped onto Rod Laver Arena, it was back in 2020, when he lost a semifinal to Novak Djokovic. Six years later, the Swiss Maestro is back at Melbourne Park, and he still looks every bit ready for a challenge. In his first practice outing, Federer faced Casper Ruud and edged past the Norwegian in a tiebreak, a moment that quietly reignited comeback hopes among fans.

The session paired Federer with the current world No. 13, a familiar opponent. The two have crossed paths before, most notably at the 2019 French Open, where Federer eased past Ruud in straight sets. This time, even in a practice setting, the result felt familiar. At 44, Federer once again got the better of the three-time Grand Slam finalist, winning the tiebreak 7–2.

The moment instantly triggered fan excitement online, with many humorously suggesting that Roger Federer should “get back in the testing pool” after his sharp ball-striking. And justifiably so, because Federer has time and again proved that his skills are still on a par with the best of the best of the current generation.

He’s now set to join Pat Rafter, Andre Agassi, and Lleyton Hewitt in a special ‘Battle of World No.1s’ exhibition.

Interestingly, the Swiss legend has returned to the Australian Open for the first time since announcing his retirement in 2022, marking a historic and emotional moment for fans and the tournament alike. The 6x AO champion, whose last major title came in Melbourne in 2018, will headline the inaugural AO 2026 Opening Ceremony on Saturday night.

The Opening Ceremony will serve not only as a celebration but also as Federer’s belated farewell to a venue that shaped some of the most iconic moments of his career. Roger Federer said the trip is designed to be a nostalgic walk through his storied history at Melbourne Park.

After retiring at the 2022 Laver Cup, Roger Federer never had the opportunity to bid farewell to Melbourne. Saturday’s Opening Ceremony will finally bridge that gap. And for Federer, the chance to return to Melbourne’s blue hard courts alongside other legends is one he’s clearly relishing. Above all, one moment during his presser made him visibly emotional.

Roger Federer revisits his iconic 2017 comeback

Speaking at his AO press conference, Federer admitted that returning to Rod Laver Arena after so long isn’t entirely easy, but it’s necessary: “I feel good to rip the Band-Aid off, show up on a big court like here at Rod Laver Arena, get out there. It’s too easy and too convenient just to stay home and say, I don’t need to do it.”

He also elaborated on the emotional mix he’s dealing with:

“I’m nervous, I’m excited, I’m happy I’m here. I’m happy there’s a moment for the crowd, for me personally, but also being on the court with Lleyton that I shared so much with, Pat, that I always loved playing against, even though I never beat him.”

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Federer even took a walk down memory lane during his press conference, recalling an iconic point from his 2017 Australian Open triumph, while admitting that nostalgia for his playing days isn’t as strong as many might expect.

Played on January 29, 2017, the Australian Open final turned into a five-set classic that lasted three hours and 38 minutes. Roger Federer, seeded 17th, outlasted longtime rival Rafael Nadal in a thrilling 6–4, 3–6, 6–1, 3–6, 6–3 victory to lift his fifth Australian Open title, his first in Melbourne since 2010, and his 18th Grand Slam singles crown overall.

Federer was 35, when he arrived in Melbourne with plenty of questions surrounding him. He was returning from a six-month layoff due to a knee injury that required the first surgery of his career, had finished the previous season without a title, and was ranked No. 17, his lowest seeding at a major since 2001.

Yet, the Swiss legend produced one of the most memorable runs of his career, knocking out top-10 opponents like Tomáš Berdych and Kei Nishikori before defeating world No. 2 Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals. The win marked his first Grand Slam final appearance in 18 months, and one of the most iconic comebacks tennis has ever seen. His comeback was even tagged by many as a ‘Phoenix-Like Comeback.’

And now, at 44 years old, Federer has been inching back into the tennis spotlight yet again.

For him, the return to Melbourne isn’t just about participating in the Opening Ceremony. It’s about reliving memories, reconnecting with old rivals, and giving fans the goodbye they deserve, years in the making.