Roger Federer is set to make a historic return to the court and kick off the first Grand Slam of the tennis season at the 2026 Australian Open.

The 44-year-old who retired in 2022 after more than 24 years in the sport took social media by storm with a selfie video posted to Instagram announcing his highly-anticipated return to Melbourne.

Roger Federer returning to Australian Open for new event

“I’ve been thinking it’s really cold here in Switzerland. I need to make a trip again and head back,” Federer began before rotating his camera and completing the sentence, “Down Under.”

Federer tagged AO in the joint post and organizers confirmed the news announcing he will headline the first major of the season with a brand new Opening Ceremony on Jan. 17, 2026.

“The Happy Slam,” he wrote in the caption with a heart emoji. “See you soon, Australia.”

Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates winning his men’s singles fourth round match at the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park, January 26, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia.

Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Fans flooded the comments section clamoring for details and sharing in the excitement for his return.

“Need a tour guide?” famed F1 driver for McLaren and Melbourne-native Oscar Piastri wrote.

ESPN tennis host and former World No. 1 Aussie pro Rennae Stubbs added the country’s flag emojis with praise for his “dad joke.”

What to know about Roger Federer returning to Australian Open

A general view of Rod Laver Arena during the men’s semifinal match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park, January 30, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia.

Fred Lee/Getty Images

The evening before the main draw kicks off, the 20-time major champion will take the court alongside three fellow tennis greats Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt for a star-studded event dubbed the “Battle of the World No. 1s.”

Federer and Agassi have both hoisted the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, six and four times respectively.

When is the Australian Open?

AO 2026 runs Jan. 12 to Feb. 1, 2026, for three weeks of world-class tennis and hospitality at Melbourne Park.