Federer Shuts Down Australian Open Wild Card Dream: 'No, No, No...'

After beating Casper Ruud in a tie-break exhibition at the Australian Open, fans hoped for a Swiss comeback via wild card.

© Federer AO26 pressConf WILLIAM WEST AFP

Arthur Millot

le 17/01/2026 à 16h24

1 min to read

Federer Roger Ruud Casper

Present in Melbourne, Roger Federer shared a training session with Casper Ruud.

The intensity even ramped up when the two men decided to play a tie-break, resulting in a clear victory for the Swiss (7–2).

But while this duel might have seemed trivial, some fans on social media reignited speculation: Can Federer still compete at the highest level?

The Australian Open Wild Card: A Fan Fantasy

Quickly, the wild idea of a wild card for the Australian Open took over discussions.

Federer, an eight-time semifinalist and six-time winner in Melbourne, remains one of the most iconic figures in the tournament's history.

"My Body Isn't Ready, Neither Is My Mind"

However, when asked about this in a press conference, the Swiss Maestro responded:

"I'm not here to play. My calf is nervous, my body and mind aren't ready.

I love Melbourne. My family is here, my parents too. So it's a trip down memory lane with a lot of nostalgia."

Officially retired for three years, Roger Federer remains an absolute media magnet, and his mere presence is enough to ignite fans.