Roger Federer is set to make a celebratory return to Arthur Ashe Stadium this week, marking his first appearance at the venue since his final US Open campaign in 2019. The tennis legend will participate in an exhibition match on Tuesday night, held during the tournament’s “fan week” festivities ahead of the official start on Sunday.
The event will feature a doubles showcase alongside fellow tennis icons Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and John McEnroe. Collectively, the four players have secured a dozen men’s singles titles at the US Open. Federer expressed that the match offers him a meaningful opportunity to thank his supporters, particularly as he prepares for his upcoming induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport later this week.
New York fans previously missed out on a formal farewell for the 20-time Grand Slam champion, a sendoff that other legends like Serena Williams and Agassi were able to experience. Federer’s last appearance at the US Open ended in a 2019 quarterfinal loss to Grigor Dimitrov. Although he intended to continue his career, injuries sidelined him from the tournament in 2020 and 2021, leading to his final professional match at the Laver Cup in September 2022.
Discussing his return to the court, Federer noted that the timing finally aligned for a New York appearance. He also highlighted the personal significance of the event, mentioning his four children—two sets of twins aged 12 and 17—who are now at an age where they can better appreciate watching their father play. He anticipates a “respectful” and lighthearted match, noting that they are not playing a best-of-five format and that the primary goal is for the participants and fans to enjoy the experience.
Despite the excitement surrounding his return, Federer firmly dismissed any speculation regarding a potential competitive comeback. When asked about the possibility of accepting a wildcard entry, he rejected the idea repeatedly, stating “no” at least nine times. He cited numerous obstacles and a busy schedule as reasons for his decision, emphasizing that he is content in his current role as a fan of the sport. The report also notes that he had planned to keep playing, when Federer lost in the 2019 quarterfinals to Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria.
