Roger Federer is preparing for 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 during the tournament’s “fan week,” which precedes the official start of the competition on Sunday.
The exhibition will feature a doubles format, pairing Federer with former rivals Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, alongside tennis icon John McEnroe. Collectively, the group has secured 12 men’s singles titles at the US Open. Federer expressed that the event provides a meaningful opportunity to express his gratitude to the New York fans, who did not get a formal farewell when he last played at the venue. This appearance also coincides with his upcoming induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport later this week.
Reflecting on his departure from the sport, Federer noted that his 2019 quarterfinal loss to Grigor Dimitrov was not intended to be his final US Open match. Although he continued his career afterward, a series of injuries sidelined him from the US Open in 2020 and 2021, eventually leading to his final professional match at the Laver Cup in September 2022. He mentioned that while he has participated in other exhibitions since retiring, the timing finally aligned for a New York return this year.
Federer shared that his four children—two sets of twins currently aged 12 and 17—are now at an age where they can better appreciate watching their father play. Regarding the upcoming exhibition, he anticipates a respectful and lighthearted contest rather than an intense professional battle. “We’re not playing best of five,” he remarked, adding that he hopes the match will be an enjoyable experience for both the players and the spectators.
Despite the excitement surrounding his return to the court, Federer firmly dismissed any speculation regarding a potential competitive comeback. When asked about the possibility of accepting a wildcard entry for a tournament, he repeatedly declined, stating “no” multiple times. He cited numerous obstacles and a busy schedule, emphasizing that he is content in his current role as a fan of the sport. The report also notes that new York fans of Federer were deprived of a true sendoff for the 20-time Grand Slam champion as marked by Agassi, Serena Williams and some other champions.
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