Roger Federer hit Rod Laver Arena for his first  2020 Australian Open practice session—and encountered one immediate issue.

Twenty years after his Melbourne debut, the Grand Slam king seemed unable to erase the joyful grin from his face in his Happy Slam return.

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The 38-year-old Swiss approaches 2020 with an attitude of gratitude thankful he's still playing.



"I think I'm very passionate," Federer told the Australian Open website. "I love this sport—I always have. I've always tried to remind myself that this is what I've always wanted to become.

"I try to really simplify things in the head. And remind myself what a privilege it is doing what I'm doing at the latter stages of my career."



World No. 1 Rafael Nadal is bidding to win his first Australian Open title since 2009 and equal Federer's record of 20 career Grand Slam championships.

Six-time Australian Open champion Federer has reached the Melbourne semifinals or better in three of his last four appearances, including capturing successive titles in 2017-2018. Federer fell to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth round last January.

Photo credit: Australian Open Facebook