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Photos: Roger Federer hangs out with koalas and Ninja Turtles in Brisbane

Roger Federer poses with a koala at Lone Pine Koala Santuary in Brisbane, Australia. (Chris Hyde/Getty Images) The Australian swing doesn't start until a
Photos: Roger Federer hangs out with koalas and Ninja Turtles in Brisbane
Photos: Roger Federer hangs out with koalas and Ninja Turtles in Brisbane

Roger Federer poses with a koala at Lone Pine Koala Santuary in Brisbane, Australia. (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The Australian swing doesn't start until a player poses for a photo with a koala, and this year that lucky player was Roger Federer. Federer, who's competing at the Brisbane International for the first time in his career, is making the most of his time Down Under. His presence at the tournament has added even more excitement to a field that already includes Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova, but you wouldn't know based on the non-plussed reaction from his little furry friend:

https://vine.co/v/h922mYpbldu

In addition to his visit to the koala sanctuary, Federer hit the practice court with his new, larger Wilson racket to hit with his old friend Lleyton Hewitt, and then headlined the tournament's Kid's Day, which also included appearances from Serena and Azarenka.

More photos from Federer's weekend in Brisbane below.

(Roger Federer and a koala :: Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

(Roger Federer :: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

(Roger Federer :: Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

(Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

(Victoria Azarenka :: Chris Hyde/Getty Images)


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Courtney Nguyen
COURTNEY NGUYEN

Contributor, SI.com Nguyen is a freelance writer for SI.com, providing full coverage of professional tennis both on and off the court. Her content has become a must-read for fans and insiders to stay up-to-date with a sport that rarely rests. She has appeared on radio and TV talk shows all over the world and is one of the co-hosts of No Challenges Remaining, a weekly podcast available on iTunes. Nguyen graduated from the University of California, Irvine in 1999 and received a law degree from the University of California, Davis in 2002. She lives in the Bay Area.