Melbourne, Jan 20 (.) Retired Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal is set to return to the court at the Australian Open as part of the ‘Night of Legends’ event, scheduled for February 1, the same day as the men’s singles final of the 2026 tournament.
According to Olympics.com, the exhibition event will mark Nadal’s first on-court appearance at Melbourne Park since his retirement and will feature the 22-time Grand Slam champion alongside former world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty and Australian wheelchair tennis icon Dylan Alcott.
Nadal’s return comes just days after his long-time rival, Roger Federer, took part in an exhibition doubles match during the Australian Open’s inaugural opening ceremony at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday, January 17.
Federer teamed up with Barty, Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt, and Pat Rafter in a celebration of tennis legends that set the tone for this year’s tournament.
A two-time Australian Open champion, Nadal remains one of the most celebrated figures in the sport, having also won two Olympic gold medals during his career. His inclusion in the Night of Legends adds to the tournament’s focus on honouring past champions and engaging fans beyond competitive matches.
According to organisers, the Night of Legends will feature interactive fan activities, live music hosted by a DJ, and on-stage interactions with Nadal, Barty, and Alcott. Fans attending the event will also have the opportunity to win prizes, including tickets to the men’s final, as well as participate in a photo session with Nadal.
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