Rafael Nadal to return at Australian Open! Spanish legend follows Federer to Melbourne Park for 'Night of Legends'
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
The Australian Open 2026 Night of Legends will be held at the Kia Arena in Melbourne Park.
On February 1, the Australian Open 2026 will offer more than just the men’s singles final. Melbourne Park will also host a special celebration, “Night of Legends,” featuring one of the greatest players in tennis history, Rafael Nadal.
The Spanish legend will be joined by former World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty and Australian wheelchair tennis legend Dylan Alcott for the one-of-a-kind event, which will take place at the Kia Arena, Melbourne Park.
The event has been designed as a fan-focused celebration rather than any competitive exhibition match. The Night of Legends will give spectators a rare opportunity to hear directly from the tennis greats.
Fans can expect interactive actions, storytelling, live music with a DJ, and a happy atmosphere celebrating the sport’s legends under one roof.
For Nadal, the two-time Australian Open champion and 22-time Grand Slam winner, this will mark his first appearance as an official Australian Open Legend.
Nadal last played professionally at the Australian Open on January 18, 2023, where he was defeated by Mackenzie McDonald in the second round. He officially retired from professional tennis in November 2024.
No doubt, the Rafa’s most memorable Australian Open vctory came on January 30, 2022, when he defeated Daniil Medvedev in an epic five-set final, winning 2–6, 6–7 (5–7), 6–4, 6–4, 7–5.
That victory saw Nadal become the first man in tennis history to win 21 Grand Slam singles titles, surpassing Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic at the time.
Nadal’s first Australian Open title came in 2009, when he defeated Federer in another historic five-set final, widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in tournament history.
Joining Nadal on stage will be Ashleigh Barty, one of Australia’s most celebrated tennis players. The former world No. 1, Barty won three Grand Slam singles titles across all three surfaces—French Open 2019, Wimbledon 2021, and Australian Open 2022.
When she lifted the trophy in Melbourne four years ago, she became the first Australian woman in 44 years to win the home singles title. She also spent 121 weeks as the WTA world No. 1 and currently serves as Tennis Australia’s National Indigenous Tennis Ambassador.
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Dylan Alcott will complete the trio, who is a wheelchair tennis legend and one of Australia’s most successful Paralympians. The former world No. 1 quad player achieved a historic Golden Slam in 2021 by winning all four Grand Slam singles titles and Paralympic gold in the same calendar year.
Alcott has won 23 Grand Slam titles across singles and doubles and claimed Paralympic gold medals in wheelchair basketball at the 2008 Beijing Games, as well as wheelchair tennis gold at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
He was named Australian of the Year in 2022 for his sporting achievements and advocacy for people with disabilities.
What is the Night of Legends at Australian Open 2026?
The Night of Legends is a special fan-focused celebration featuring legendary tennis figures, designed for engagement and storytelling.
When and where will Night of Legends take place?
The event will be held on February 1, 2026, at the Kia Arena in Melbourne Park.
Which tennis legends will be part of the event?
Rafael Nadal, former world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, and Australian wheelchair tennis legend Dylan Alcott will headline the event.
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Uzma Fatima is a passionate sports journalist who believes every match has a story waiting to be told. Whether it's the grace of Olympic champions, the grit of tennis and badminton battles, or the drama of cricket’s highs and heartbreaks — she loves capturing the emotion behind the action. Off the field, she’s a Formula 1 enthusiast who never misses a race weekend.