Federer Shines At Australian Open Ceremony As Festival Begins Record crowds, star-studded exhibition matches, and a new festival format set the stage for a thrilling three weeks at Melbourne Park as the 2026 Australian Open gets underway. The 2026 Australian Open has kicked off in style, transforming Melbourne Park into a three-week festival of tennis that’s already captured the imagination of fans worldwide. Among those stars was Roger Federer, the six-time Australian Open champion and 20-time Grand Slam winner. It really truly means so much to me when people like Rocket (Laver) show up.”This year’s Australian Open is more than just another Grand Slam. This year’s Australian Open is also notable for its record prize pool, which has increased by 16 percent.

Source: The Guardian January 17, 2026 16:29 UTC