The Australian Open continues to break attendance records in 2026 as fans have flocked to Melbourne Park for the first Grand Slam of the year.
The ‘Opening Week’ of the tournament featured the return of Roger Federer, as well as the incredibly exciting One-Point Slam.
Rafael Nadal has also been confirmed to return to the Australian Open for the closing ceremony, and several more tennis legends have now been revealed to appear at an exhibition event.
Five former Grand Slam champions have been announced for the Australian Open’s ‘Legends Cup’, which is set to take place across the second week of the Grand Slam.
Marat Safin and Lleyton Hewitt sign up for the Australian Open’s Legends Cup
12 players have signed up for the Legends Cup, which pits six Australian players competing against six players from Team World.
Team Australia will consist of Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt, Mark Phillippoussis, Samantha Stosur, Alicia Molik, and Casey Dellacqua.
Team World, meanwhile, will feature Marat Safin, Tommy Haas, Marcos Baghdatis, Daniela Hantuchova, Andrea Petkovic, and Angelique Kerber.
Five of those legends – Rafter, Hewitt, Stosur, Safin, and Kerber – lifted a Grand Slam trophy in their storied careers.
The tournament will see the two teams play singles, doubles, and mixed doubles matches across the second week of the Grand Slam.
The Australian Open is showing the other Grand Slams how to reach mass appeal
Every day of the Australian Open main draw has attracted over 100,000 fans, which is remarkable for the first week of a Grand Slam.
The popularity of the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner can be attributed to the mass increase, but the publicity for the Grand Slam is mostly the reason.
The virality of the One-Point Slam, as well as appearances from several high-profile legends, has made the Australian Open a destination ticket.
Wimbledon, the US Open, and Roland Garros should be taking note of what is happening in Melbourne and should try and replicate the buzz and excitement.
The more people who can be attracted to the biggest events on the calendar can only be an added benefit for the ATP and WTA Tour.
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