Pat Rafter appeared to call Andre Agassi a 'd***' after a back-and-forth exchange between the two during their doubles exhibition with Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer at the Australian Open. Agassi and Federer won the match 2-4, 4-2, 4-2 after Ash Barty replaced the American for their final set.

The comment was prompted by Agassi asking Rafter after winning a point against the Australian: "Does that bring back some bad memories, Pat?" leaving the crowd in stitches. A laughing Rafter shook his head in response before replying: "You're such a d***" as Agassi said at almost the same time: "I can even feel Roger twitching over here". Turning his attention to Agassi's partner, Federer, Rafter quipped: "I could say the same to Roger, too, but I don't, OK?"

Agassi, who was regularly sledging his opponents and joking with Federer during the match, got the better of Rafter during their careers and holds a 10-5 head-to-head advantage. The American also won both times they played at the Australian Open, including a semi-final in 2001.

That year was Rafter's best performance in his home Grand Slam before losing to the defending champion. Agassi retained his title in 2001, his third of four Down Under wins.

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB!Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

Rafter did get revenge on his rival later that year, though, beating him at the same stage of Wimbledon to reach the 2001 final, which he lost to Goran Ivanisevic. They played once more at the Tennis Masters Cup, which Agassi won in straight sets, in what was Rafter's last year on the ATP Tour.

The Australian outlasted Agassi in Melbourne a quarter of a century later, though, as Barty replaced the four-time Australian Open champion for the final set. During the first two sets, he also gave as good as he got back to Agassi, saying at one point, "You're making me look good, Andre" after his opponent shanked a shot.

Hewitt and Rafter won the first set 4-2, but Agassi and Federer took the second before Barty helped the Swiss tennis icon to claim the deciding set.

It was all smiles at the end as Agassi returned to the court, and all players embraced at the net. The American and Rafter wrapped their arms around each other to share a hug.

That concluded the inaugural opening ceremony of the Australian Open, and the doubles exhibition kept the crowd thoroughly entertained. It served up as a welcome way to warm up for the main draw, which starts on Sunday.