But everyone knew that all these names were just decorations: The main course was Roger Federer.
“The Beatles of Tennis” – to use Neil Finn’s words: Agassi, Federer, Rafter and Hewitt with Rod Laver at their centre.Credit: Eddie Jim
Tennis’ undefeated king of hearts was this year’s ace on the hole. The last time he was in Melbourne as a competitor was in 2020 and the six-year absence has made the Aussie’s heart grow fonder.
During the afternoon, people signed in with his profile and initials on their shirts, or posed for pictures in front of the AO signs in the lobby with cardboard “I heart Roger” signs.
Agassi was thrilled to have Federer as his partner.Credit: Eddie Jim
The roof opened again just before the game and it was as if God himself was tuning in as the summer sun streamed through.
Not that the people in Bays 19 and 20 were all that impressed: Hewitt and Rafter’s pre-match conversations had to be watched through their fingers thanks to the piercing glare.
Novak Djokovic hugs Roger FedererCredit: AP
The altered sense of satisfaction and anticipation in the crowd – among them David Warner and Novak Djokovic – blossomed into full-on euphoria upon Federer’s arrival.
A standing ovation when he entered the arena. Two bearded middle-aged men in the crowd with a sign saying “RF you are our hall pass” (his wife and kids were there). The renewed applause ends each time he crossed over.
Forget the Beatles, Elvis was in the building.
Nobody enjoyed it more than Agassi. “If I win, it’s because of my partner, not me,” the American said before the bout, leaning into grim humor. “It’s so nice not to worry if you suck anymore.”
At one point, Agassi left the court entirely, pitting Federer solo against Hewitt and Rafter. Rafter’s return of Federer’s serve took long.
The true purpose of the ceremony was evident when young Australian player Emerson Jones read ‘The Players’ Oath’ while Federer waited in the wings: “To the many who have gone before us and who started as children with a dream… We gather in gratitude on these beautiful blue courts and simply say thank you, we hope you will be proud.”
Ash Barty was a surprise participant in the match.Credit: TheAge
Later in the evening, Ash Barty made a cameo appearance to take Agassi’s place at Federer’s side.
“Here’s what the Open has done,” the spectacle seemed to say, “who’s ready for what he’s about to do?”
No one was taking himself too seriously: Hewitt started in the winning round after unexpectedly returning a wild Federer backhand with a right-angle volley to win the point.
“Andre’s nonsense got to my head and I lost all confidence in my forehand,” admitted Rafter in the middle. “I’m going in.” [to the new] get ready to smash!”
Agassi shows respect to Rod LAver in the courtyard.Credit: Eddie Jim
After the match, the five stars sat down to talk about their favorite Australian Open memories. Federer then went one-on-one with the host before ascending the hastily erected staircase on the court and raising his arms in triumph as fireworks exploded above him.
Some in the crowd were moved to tears as footage of his 26-shot rally with Rafael Nadal in 2017, his tongue-in-cheek conversation with Will Ferrell on court and the moment his children suggested he put soup in the trophy were played.
Federer hesitated when asked what he remembered about his match against Agassi and Djokovic in Melbourne. “Nothing. I actually had to look up what I was doing in 2007 and apparently I didn’t lose a set. I don’t remember the details but it must have been an absolute dream tournament!”
On the night of the match, some Victorians were cleaning up after a devastating flash flood. Others battled fires that were still burning after 10 days.
For those in the crowd, the match was a chance to recapture summer – if only briefly.
A generation of grateful tennis fans finally got a chance to give Fed the kind of loss it felt it deserved, and Tennis Australia had a problem that probably couldn’t be happier: How do we top it next year?
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