Ash Barty and Roger Federer light up Melbourne in surprise Australian Open exhibition

Roger Federer delivered on his long-awaited return to the court at the Australian Open, starring in a memorable exhibition alongside Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt — a match that was unexpectedly joined by none other than three-time Grand Slam champion Ashleigh Barty, the last local player to be crowned champion of the Happy Slam.

Rod Laver Arena witnessed a true spectacle on the final day of Fan Week ahead of the tournament’s start. A doubles match featuring former world No.1 players is not something you see every day, especially when it includes the 20-time Grand Slam champion and six-time Australian Open winner Roger Federer.

The Swiss legend teamed up with eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi — a four-time Australian Open titlist — to take on local favourites and former world No.1s Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt, both Grand Slam champions, though never in Melbourne.

All four players took to the court wearing microphones, chatting and joking throughout the match. It was a laughter-filled evening from start to finish. “I have missed you and it is great to be back,” Federer said at the beginning of the match. “It’s just where we left off, so many memories and nice to dive back into it.”

The match was played in a short-set format, with sets decided by the first team to reach four games and no advantage scoring — meaning 40–40 was played as a deciding point. Hewitt and Rafter claimed the opening set 4–2 after breaking Federer’s serve, but Federer and Agassi responded by taking the second set by the same score with a single break.

That was when the night delivered its most unexpected moment.

“There’s only one chance of you winning out here today. If we could find another Aussie in this joint to come out here,” Agassi said into his microphone at the end of the second set. “Is there by chance another Australian Open winner here?” he added, prompting a huge reaction from the crowd.

Moments later, former world No.1 Ashleigh Barty — the 2022 Australian Open champion — walked onto the court, racket in hand, ready to play.

Barty joined Federer — a partnership we never knew we needed — and settled in immediately. The three-time Grand Slam champion and local hero once again showcased her talent at Melbourne Park. The Federer–Barty pairing went on to defeat Hewitt and Rafter in the deciding set, sealing victory for the unconventional team of Federer–Agassi/Barty by 2–4, 4–2, 4–2 after one hour and ten minutes.

It was a special night that brought the Australian Open Opening Ceremony exhibition to a close. The next matches at Melbourne Park will count towards the main draw of the tournament, beginning this Sunday with seventh seed Jasmine Paolini facing Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Later, Alexander Zverev will take on Gabriel Diallo, Aryna Sabalenka will face Tiantsoa Rakotomananga, and Carlos Alcaraz will meet Adam Walton to close the day on the main court.