Roger Federer is set to return to the US Open for a special one-night exhibition during Fan Week, four years after announcing his retirement from professional tennis. The 20-time Grand Slam champion will share the Arthur Ashe Stadium court with fellow legends Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe.
Federer will first face Roddick in a one-set singles contest, with a deciding point to settle the match if required. The two former rivals met 24 times on the professional tour, with Federer winning 21 of those encounters.
The exhibition will then shift to doubles, with Federer partnering four-time US Open champion McEnroe against Roddick and Agassi. The four champions will come together for what promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s Fan Week in New York.
The US Open organisers confirmed Federer’s appearance, describing it as a special return for one night under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Federer himself was equally excited about returning to a venue that holds some of the biggest memories of his career.
“Looking forward to being back in New York and adding new memories to so many special ones over the years,” Federer said. “See you soon NYC.”
FEDERER RETURNS TO A FAMILIAR STAGE
Federer has a particularly strong connection with Flushing Meadows. He won five consecutive US Open titles between 2004 and 2008, a run that established him among the most dominant players in the tournament’s history.
His five titles remain a joint record in the Open Era, alongside Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors. His last competitive appearance at the US Open came in 2019, making the exhibition his first return to Arthur Ashe Stadium since then.
Roddick, meanwhile, lifted the US Open trophy in 2003 after defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero. Although Federer dominated their Grand Slam meetings, the American remains one of the defining rivals of the Swiss great’s career.
The other half of the doubles pairing brings another layer of history. McEnroe won seven Grand Slam singles titles, including four US Open crowns, while Agassi collected eight major titles and triumphed in New York in 1994 and 1999.
The exhibition will take place on August 25 as part of Fan Week, ahead of the main tournament. The 2026 US Open begins with qualifying and mixed doubles before the singles main draw gets underway on August 30.
Federer’s appearance will offer fans a nostalgic trip back through tennis history before attention turns to the current generation. With Jannik Sinner absent and Carlos Alcaraz returning from a lengthy injury layoff, the men’s singles tournament is already shaping up as an intriguing one.
– Ends
