Roger Federer and his wife Mirka strolled calmly into Melbourne Park. The atmosphere grew quietly emotional even before the crowd noticed their arrival. At the 2026 Australian Open, the Swiss tennis icon stood courtside with his wife, their four children, and both his parents. He reflected on how this city profoundly shaped his life.
A Champion's Homecoming with Family
Federer, who claimed the Australian Open title seven times, explained that returning with his family made the experience deeper and more personal. His memories now extend far beyond victories and silverware. They encompass precious time, family bonds, and watching his kids grow up in the very arenas where his career soared to incredible heights.
The former world number one last won the Australian Open trophy back in 2017. That year, he defeated Rafael Nadal in a legendary final that tennis enthusiasts still discuss passionately. During a live on-court interview, Federer described the unique feeling of revisiting those moments surrounded by loved ones.
Reliving Shared Memories
"My parents are here too," Federer shared. "We're enjoying a complete family gathering because they hold wonderful memories from Melbourne. Reliving those moments and visiting the same spots together is truly enjoyable."
He expressed particular happiness that his father managed to make the journey. "Mirka and I have spent so many years here," Federer continued. "I told my dad, even though he's traveled such a distance, he had to come down one more time. And he's here too, so I'm thrilled he made it."
Roger Federer married Mirka Vavrinec in Basel on April 11, 2009. The couple are parents to two sets of twins: daughters Myla and Charlene, and sons Leo and Lenny. Federer officially retired from professional tennis at the 2022 Laver Cup, concluding a storied career that delivered 20 Grand Slam titles and cemented his status as one of the sport's all-time greats.
Night Matches and Trophies Turned Toy Boxes
While chatting with former player Jim Courier this week, Federer watched an old clip from one of his Australian Open triumphs. He smiled, recalling how his children were once too little to attend late-night matches.
"They were too young to come out for the night session," Federer remembered. "Maybe we should bring back more day sessions for the young kids. All our players are having children now, and they need to be part of this too. They had to go to bed for that match—it was adorable."
Federer then shared an amusing and heartwarming anecdote that delighted fans. After celebrating a victory until dawn, he returned home to find his children using his championship trophy as a container for their toys.
"I recall it was either 2017 or 2018," he said. "We went out, partied, and had a very long night. I came back as the sun was rising. The kids had just woken up. I was in the living room with the trophy, and they came over and started putting all their toys inside it."
One More Joyful Moment on Court
Roger Federer last competed at the Australian Open in 2020, advancing to the semifinals before Novak Djokovic defeated him in straight sets. This week, he also participated in a special exhibition doubles match alongside Lleyton Hewitt, Ash Barty, and Andre Agassi. Federer and Barty won the entertaining contest in three sets, 4-2, 2-4, 4-2, offering fans one more delightful Federer performance in Melbourne.
