Rod Laver Arena gave a standing ovation to a familiar flick of the wrist as Roger Federer reminded the crowd why so many still watch tennis for that single shot.
On a Friday practice that felt equal parts exhibition and homecoming, the 44-year-old former champion stepped out to work with Casper Ruud, played a tiebreak and produced the kind of return that made headlines across Melbourne Park.
Practice, the tiebreak and that down-the-line backhand
Federer paired up with 27-year-old Casper Ruud during the session and later contested a practice tiebreak against the world No 13, winning the breaker 7-2 and scoring a return winner with that signature one-handed backhand down the line.
The moment was vintage Federer: economical footwork, a clean take on the ball and a shot that still catches the edge of a stadium and the throat of the internet in the same instant.
I feel like I hold the racquet a lot.
Roger Federer
That line came at a press conference where Federer was candid about priorities away from pro touring, explaining tennis now sits alongside family and other sports rather than at the very center of his daily routine.
He told reporters, “I’m super still active, busy, doing loads of sports. Tennis is part of that,” underlining that while he is not training for the tour, he still keeps a racquet in hand frequently enough to produce those trademark moments.
More than nostalgia: competitive sparkle and old friendships
The tiebreak and practice were not mere nostalgia for Federer or the crowd, because the ball left his racquet with intent and bite, and opponents like Ruud found it awkward to measure up to his timing and variety.
Ruud summed up the session on social media as “Best practice partner in a while”, a short endorsement that felt both sincere and a little starstruck, given the occasion and the players involved.
Fans also gathered to see the build-up to Saturday night’s exhibition doubles, where Federer will team with other former greats including Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt for a feel-good curtain-raiser.
Legacy, reactions and a reminder of what made him great
Federer’s return to Rod Laver Arena triggered the very human reaction sport occasionally produces: awe, a little mistiness and an online feeding frenzy as clips of that backhand made the rounds of social platforms.
He retired from professional tennis in 2022 after a storied career that includes being a 20-time Grand Slam singles champion, and his occasional competitive appearances are treated as special events rather than new chapters.
The spectacle also reminded viewers why Federer has been compared across sports to icons such as Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, in the sense that he transcended tennis through grace, timing and an almost stubborn refusal to make extra motion where none was needed.
There were also lighter ripples, because Federer’s comments about contemporary players stirred debate among fans, showing that even a mellow comeback can raise a ruckus in today’s social media arena.
For now, the takeaway is simple: Federer can still hit extraordinary shots, the crowd still loves him for it, and tennis is better for having those brief reminders that craft and intelligence can outfox raw power on a given day.
Join the conversation on Facebook.
Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
