The 2026 Australian Open made history on Saturday evening with the Opening Ceremony at Rod Laver Arena, drawing thousands of tennis fans across the world. For the first time in the tournament’s history, the Australian Open organized a formal opening spectacle featuring a star-studded exhibition doubles match.
Four of tennis’s most iconic figures, Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt, and Patrick Rafter, participated in “The Battle of the World No.1s,” an exhibition clash ahead of the main draw.
The Lighthearted Moment Between Andre Agassi and Roger Federer, Involving Novak Djokovic
During the ceremony, footage of historic matches was shown to the enthusiastic crowd. When the screen showed the 2005 Australian Open quarterfinal between Federer and Agassi, a match the Swiss won in straight sets, Agassi shared his reaction with characteristic humor. The American icon commented on his loss with a lighthearted laugh:
“I don’t remember that one, no. I actually don’t think it happened. I don’t think the match happened. This is AI right here, this is not real.” The crowd erupted in laughter at Agassi’s straight-up refusal to acknowledge the defeat, adding a humorous tone to the nostalgic moment. The comment highlighted the commanding nature of Federer’s performance that day, when the Swiss champion beat the American veteran with precision.
Later in the ceremony, another piece of match footage was shown, this time from the 2007 Australian Open fourth round match, when Federer faced a 19-year-old Novak Djokovic for the first time at a Grand Slam. Federer dominated that encounter in straight sets, a performance so mesmerizing that even the Swiss champion looked impressed.
When asked about the match, Federer responded with a similar lightheartedness:
“Nothing, no. I remember playing against Novak here, but it’s like the Andre match; I don’t remember. I actually had to look up what I did in ’07, and apparently, I didn’t lose a set. So, I don’t remember those details anymore; it must have been an absolute dream of a tournament.”
The crowd laughed at the responses, recognizing that both comments were made in the spirit of friendly rivalry, showcasing the pressure of competing at the highest level.
Federer’s Dominance in the 2000s
Federer’s supremacy throughout the 2000s established him as the era’s most commanding force, a dominance that extended across generations of opponents. His victory over Agassi in the 2005 Australian Open QF showed that he was able to take on the older generation, while the win against Djokovic just two years later showed his dominance over the rising stars.
Federer’s Melbourne record stands as a testament to his durability and excellence at one of tennis’s most prestigious tournaments. He claimed six Australian Open titles across his career, in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, and 2018, a remarkable span of more than a decade and a half.
In the Battle of the World No. 1s exhibition match, Federer and Agassi teamed up, facing the Australian duo of Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter in a first‑to‑four, three‑set doubles format. The Australians took the opening set 4-2 before Federer’s team rallied to claim the next two sets 4-2, 4-2, with the help of Ashleigh Barty in the third set, and won the exhibition.
