Federer Returns to Melbourne: I Never Officially Said Goodbye Here

On January 15th, Beijing time, Swiss legend Federer appeared at the 2026 Australian Open site for a press briefing. Everything at Melbourne Park seemed both well-known yet slightly unfamiliar to him. "To be honest, I’m a little anxious; it’s been ages since I participated in a press conference," Federer said. "I had never been inside this press hall before, so it was a pleasant surprise to see the upgrades—the Australian Open has always invested generously in its facilities to satisfy both players and fans. I’m truly happy to be back. I never had a proper farewell here; everything ended so abruptly. The Australian Open holds countless wonderful memories for me. It’s one of the greatest tournaments of my career and my favorite tennis venue."

Archive Photo of Federer

When asked about his most memorable moment at the Australian Open during his career, Federer admitted it was his 2017 championship run. "The final against Rafa (Nadal) was incredible. I mentioned in an earlier interview that I had no expectations going into that tournament; just reaching the quarterfinals would have been satisfying. My coach privately believed I could win, but I thought it was unlikely—my world ranking was only 17th at the time, and I hadn’t competed for six months. However, I performed well at the Hopman Cup and was in good shape arriving at the Australian Open. I knew the draw was tough, and winning the title meant beating many top players. The final itself was very special; it might be one of the most unforgettable titles of my career."

After retiring, Federer expressed gratitude for his entire career journey: "I don’t usually boast about these achievements, but occasionally looking back at my memories, I realize I’ve been through a lot, and those memories are beautiful. Honestly, even if I had only achieved half of what I did, I would still be proud sitting here because I have exceeded my own expectations. The journey and time spent in this career are what truly matter; it’s been incredibly fun."

Federer noted that with four children to care for, tennis is hard to prioritize in retirement. "The kids are playing tennis better and more often, and I frequently join them on the court. I’m still very active and participate in many sports; tennis is just one part of that. I often hold a racket, but I don’t train specifically."

This Saturday, Federer will appear alongside tennis legends Hewitt, Agassi, and others at the 2026 Australian Open opening ceremony, leading the "Battle of the World No.1s" segment. Before officially announcing his retirement at the 2022 Laver Cup, Federer never had the chance to formally say goodbye to Australian Open fans in Melbourne. The weekend’s opening ceremony will be a perfect opportunity to make up for that. "I brought my kids along, and my parents are here too. It feels like a nostalgic journey, and I’m grateful to have made this trip happen."

(Text and Editing: Dato, Photos: Jianyi Li)