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.

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.

Federer swept aside Ruud in straight sets in a tournament which saw him reach the final four, before he was defeated by his great rival Rafael Nadal. Federer and Ruud barely overlapped on the ATP Tour but the Swiss star is well aware of the talent the three-time Grand Slam finalist has.

Roger Federer arrived in Melbourne on Thursday to play an exhibition alongside tennis legends (Agassi, Rafter and Hewitt) just before the Australian Open begins. It marks the Swiss star's first appearance on Australian courts since his last participation in 2020.

During a podcast appearance last month, Murray revealed that he used to practice with Federer when he first arrived on the Tour. Then, the Swiss decided he no longer wanted him as a hitting partner. During the same conversation, the British tennis legend claimed that the Swiss tennis icon "never practiced" with Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal.