Melbourne Park has entered a new phase of anticipation as Roger Federer arrived at the venue ahead of the 2026 Australian Open. The past few days has already been entertaining for the tennis community, witnessing remarkable scenes. The Rod Laver Arena is alive again with practice sessions featuring the world’s best players, with the groundbreaking Million Dollar 1 Point Slam capturing global attention.
Roger Federer Arrives in Australia For Another Major Exhibition Tournament
Wednesday, January 14, marked a huge day in tennis with the sport’s biggest names practicing under Melbourne’s summer sun. The star-studded lineups featured major stars such as Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Novak Djokovic, two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner, and others, creating an electric atmosphere.
The Million Dollar 1 Point Slam exhibition at Rod Laver Arena delivered an equally compelling spectacle, featuring 48 competitors ranging from Grand Slam champions to state-level amateurs and celebrities, all competing in 1-point matches where rock-paper-scissors determined the right to serve.
The following day brought the next major development in Melbourne, as the Swiss Champion Federer arrived in the city with his parents and one of his sons visible in the clip. The tournament’s official social media channels welcomed the 20-time Grand Slam champion back to the venue where he won six Australian Open titles between 2004 and 2018, with his last appearance coming in the 2020 semifinals against Djokovic.
MORE: Roger Federer Joins Andre Agassi for Star-Filled ‘Battle of the World No. 1s’ to Launch 2026 Australian Open
LOOK WHO’S HERE
Welcome back to Melbourne, @rogerfederer! pic.twitter.com/n7OZwFUz9r
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2026
Federer will headline the new “Battle of the World No. 1s” exhibition on Saturday, January 17, joining fellow former top-ranked players Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter, and Lleyton Hewitt at the Rod Laver Arena. The showcase has been designed as a celebration of the champions who helped establish Melbourne’s reputation as the “Happy Slam.”
The event represents Federer’s first competitive appearance at Melbourne Park since his retirement in 2022, offering fans a rare opportunity to see the Swiss legend share a court with three other former World No. 1s who have collectively spent years at the summit of men’s tennis.
Wednesday Evening Chaos at Rod Laver Arena
The Australian Open’s opening week has already proven to be an engaging one, with the 1 Point Slam generating unprecedented buzz throughout the tennis community. The innovative format created a level playing field that produced shocking results and viral moments. The tournament’s impact was amplified when Jordan Smith, a 29-year-old amateur from Sydney, navigated through a field of professionals to claim the $1 million AUD prize plus an additional $50,000 grant for his academy.
MORE: Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Amanda Anisimova, Others React as Amateur Jordan Smith Wins $1 Million AUD 1 Point Slam
Smith’s remarkable run included victories over Bailey Smith, Brazilian professional Laura Pigossi (World No. 86), World No. 2 Sinner, WTA World No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, Pedro Martínez (World No. 71), and finally Joanna Garland (WTA World No. 117) in the championship point.
The upset sparked immediate reaction across the tennis world, with Gauff posting on Instagram that an amateur had “out beat all of us” and calling Smith’s achievement “so cool.” Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe both highlighted Smith by name in their social media posts, while Anisimova referred to the finalists as “legends.”
Australian star Alex de Minaur labeled the moment the “best of the year,” and German player Eva Lys and Taylor Fritz’s girlfriend, Morgan Riddle, suggested the format should be introduced at every Grand Slam, showcasing how successful the event was.
