44-Year-Old Roger Federer Stuns World No. 12 Casper Ruud at Australian Open

FEDERER BEATS RUUD 2026: Roger Federer, 44, stuns World No. 12 Casper Ruud in a practice tie-break at the 2026 Australian Open. Read about the 7-2 win, the iconic backhand winner, and Federer’s response to comeback rumours.

In a moment that felt like a glitch in the matrix of time, a 44-year-old Roger Federer returned to Rod Laver Arena on Friday and reminded the world why he is the “Maestro”.

Participating in what was supposed to be a light practice session ahead of the 2026 Australian Open Opening Ceremony, the retired Swiss legend didn’t just hold his own—he dominated world No. 12 Casper Ruud in a high-stakes tie-break that has sent the tennis world into a frenzy.

Despite having been retired for nearly four years, Federer’s movement and shot-making looked as crisp as his 2017 championship run, leading to a 7-2 victory in the tie-break that left Ruud—a three-time Grand Slam finalist—shaking his head in disbelief.

The “Practice” That Stopped Melbourne

What began as a warm-up for Saturday’s “Battle of the World No. 1s” exhibition quickly turned into a masterclass. With thousands of fans trickling into the arena early to catch a glimpse of the 20-time Major winner, the atmosphere shifted from “casual” to “competitive” the moment Federer stepped onto the baseline.

• The Backhand: The highlight of the session came at 5-2, when Federer chased down a deep Ruud forehand and flicked a trademark one-handed backhand down-the-line winner. The crowd erupted, and even Ruud couldn’t help but offer a wry smile and a “thumbs up.”
• The Movement: Federer, who had been vocal about his “twitchy calf” in earlier press conferences, showed zero signs of rust, gliding across the blue hardcourt with the same feline grace that defined his two-decade career.
• The Scoreline: A 7-2 scoreline against a top-15 player in the world is rare for a retiree, leading social media users to joke that Federer should be the one receiving a wildcard for the main draw starting Sunday.

“Best Practice Partner in a While”

Following the session, a humbled Casper Ruud took to social media to share a photo with the legend, captioning it: “Best practice partner I’ve had in a while. I think he’s still got a few things to teach us.”

Federer, however, was quick to downplay the “embarrassment” of the current contender. “The body is not ready for five sets, believe me,” Federer told the crowd during a brief on-court interview. “My mind is happy to be here for the nostalgia, but the calf is definitely feeling those seven points more than Casper is!”

Comparison: The Legend vs. The Contender

What’s Next for the Maestro?

While fans are clamouring for a “Last Dance”-style comeback, Federer was firm in his stance that his appearance in Melbourne is strictly for the fans and the history of the “Happy Slam”.

On Saturday night, he will headline the AO 2026 Opening Ceremony alongside fellow legends Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter, and Lleyton Hewitt.

The event marks 120 years of the Australian Open, but after Friday’s performance, the talk of the town isn’t the history—it’s whether the Swiss star really could still make the quarter-finals if he wanted to.