Novak Djokovic has opened up on Roger Federer's return to the Australian Open this year. Federer was invited back to the tournament he has won six times in what was his first trip to Melbourne Park since his final match in Australia - a semi-final loss to Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena in 2020.

The Swiss great was part of the tournament's first formal opening ceremony on Saturday. The 20-time Grand Slam champion partnered past champions Andre Agassi and then Ash Barty in an exhibition doubles match against Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt.

And 10-time Australian Open winner, Djokovic, was there to watch. The 24-time Slam winner is chasing an all-time record 25th major this fortnight and breezed past Spaniard Pedro Martinez with the loss of just seven games on Monday.

Djokovic also watched on as Federer beat world No.13 Casper Rudd in an exhibition match earlier last week. The Serb has now had his say on Federer's return Down Under, with both players having shared arguably the greatest rivalry in tennis history alongside fellow legend Rafael Nadal.

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

He said: "I watched him a little bit in training the other day from the side of the court because it was a unique and quite different opportunity for all of us to see him train with Casper Ruud.

"It was surprising for all of us that he agreed to do an hour's training on the centre court and he played great. It was really nice to watch him live. It's so nice to watch his tennis live

"We all know that he is probably the most talented and graceful player of all time. Every stroke of his is really a symphony, and technically, how he does it all, the ways he moves.

"And now that he's retired, it looks fantastic again. So when I saw who was going to play, everyone next to him was someone I looked up to as a role model. Patrick Rafter and Andre Agassi, who also worked with me for a short time as a coach, so I love them all very much.

"I grew up with those legends, watching them, so it was a spectacle that I couldn't miss; that's why I went."

Djokovic is next in action on Thursday, where he will play Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli. The 38-year-old is likely to face a tough task this fortnight as he chases an 11th Aussie Open crown - with defending champion Jannik Sinner a potential semi-final opponent before a possible final against world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz.

The former champion has not won the Australian Open since 2023, with his most recent Grand Slam coming later that same year at the US Open.