Tennis great Roger Federer TURNS DOWN invitation to the Australian Open in big blow for organisers

Tennis superstar Roger Federer has declined an invitation from Tennis Australia to attend this year’s Australian Open – denying the organisers a huge coup following the Swiss ace’s retirement.

Federer, who was the face of tennis for two decades, retired in 2022 after struggling with injuries and form – and nowadays is enjoying the quiet life at home with his family.

Federer, who was the face of tennis for two decades, retired in 2022 after struggling with injuries and form – and nowadays is enjoying the quiet life at home with his family

During the sporting icon’s farewell event in September, Tennis Australia officials asked the 20-time Grand Slam champion if he was interested in attending the 2023 Australian Open in some capacity.

Federer is still one of the most marketable athletes in all of sports and his attendance at the event would have been a huge coup, however, the 41-year-old has made it clear he will not be making the trip.

It is understood that Tennis Australia will be trying to lure the tennis icon down to Melbourne Park in 2024, however. 

Next year’s event will mark 20 years since Federer had first won his first grand slam in Australia, which he went on to win a further five times throughout his career. 

During the sporting icon’s farewell event in September, Tennis Australia officials asked the 20-time Grand Slam champion if he was interested in attending the 2023 Australian Open in some capacity (Federer pictured after winning the Australian Open in 2010)

In 2019, Federer revealed that he loved coming to Australia, but he found the Australian Open a very ‘tiring’ tournament

In 2019, Federer revealed that he loved coming to Australia, but he found the Australian Open a very ‘tiring’ tournament.

‘I think the thing is here at the Australian Open, and look, I call it the happiest land. It’s a great, great event. The only hard part here is, is that there is 300 players and 300 coaches and guests and more and this and that,’ Federer told The Project.

‘And it just ends up being so many people at the site and it’s okay, we’re happy to see each other.

‘But it’s like, every corner, you see someone else and it’s like another handshake, another hello, and another this.

Although Federer didn’t play much at all in 2022, he still topped the list as the highest earning tennis player, pocketing $90.7 million – edging out boxer Canelo Alvarez and American footballer Tom Brady.