Roger Federer makes triumphant return to Australian Open
Roger Federer has made a triumphant return to Melbourne Park, stepping onto the courts at the Australian Open for the first time since 2020, reports BritPanorama.
The Swiss maestro, now 44, retired from professional tennis in 2022 but demonstrated he still possesses considerable skill during a practice session with world number 13 Casper Ruud.
The 20-time major winner comfortably dispatched the Norwegian in a tiebreak, prevailing 7-2, showcasing his renowned one-handed backhand and ability to convert a return winner off Ruud’s serve — a highlight moment during their practice.
Federer is set to take centre stage at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday evening for a special exhibition contest, joining three fellow former world number ones. American legend Andre Agassi and Australians Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt will also participate, providing a nostalgic showcase that tennis enthusiasts eagerly anticipate.
The gathering of these four champions, who collectively represent different eras of tennis dominance, is a rare treat for Melbourne crowds. Speaking at a press conference, Federer noted that his focus has shifted to family since stepping away from competitive play. “I’m super still active, busy, doing loads of sports. Tennis is part of that,” he remarked.
Federer also acknowledged he still enjoys playing but has reduced his personal training significantly. “I feel like I hold the racquet a lot. Do I train a lot myself? No, not at all. I still feel like I play quite a lot of tennis,” he explained.
The tennis icon suggested that his limited preparation is why he has avoided singles competition, noting that Rafter likely shares similar sentiments about doubles being more manageable. Federer’s last competitive singles match was in 2021 at Wimbledon, where he lost to Hubert Hurkacz, marking the end of a remarkable career following multiple knee surgeries.
The 27-year-old Ruud expressed enthusiasm for practicing with Federer, capturing the sentiment of many fans in a social media post that read, “Best practice partner in a while.” Whether the Swiss star can reclaim his past glory remains to be seen, as he navigates this new chapter in an already storied career.
In the end, Federer’s return to the court serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring connection between sport and its champions, showing that even after retirement, the love for the game remains strong. Watching him share the court with legends once again proves that while the sport evolves, the magic of tennis stays timeless.
