Roger Federer will make a special return to the US Open when the Swiss tennis legend meets long-time rival Andy Roddick in an exhibition match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The event will also take place on August 25 as part of US Open Fan Week and will be Federer’s first match back on the famous New York court in many years after he retired from competitive tennis.
Federer retired from professional tennis in 2022 after 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
He won the US Open five consecutive times from 2004 to 2008, so his return to Arthur Ashe was quite significant.
The exhibition will be made up of four former US Open champions and some of the biggest names from different eras of men’s tennis.
Federer and Roddick Set for One-Set Exhibition
Federer will first play Roddick in a one-set singles exhibition. The match will be played in a no-advantage format and a deciding point will be awarded if the match goes to deuce.
The match is likely to draw huge attention because Federer and Roddick shared one of the most memorable rivalries of the 2000s.
The two former world No. 1 players have met 24 times in actual ATP games, and Federer won 21 and Roddick three times.
Roddick won the US Open title in 2003, and Federer dominated the tournament for five straight years.
Their rivalry also produced major Grand Slam matches. Federer defeated Roddick in the 2006 US Open final to win his third consecutive title in New York.
The exhibition will not be a competitive ATP match, but it gives fans a chance to see the two former champions sharing the court again.
Roddick retired in 2012 from professional tennis, and Federer ended his career a decade later. Both players have remained linked to the sport since retirement.
The event also will be filled with two of the most legendary American tennis players.
Federer, Roddick, Agassi and McEnroe to Share the Court
After the singles exhibition, Federer will team up with John McEnroe for a doubles match.
They will face Roddick and Andre Agassi in another one-set exhibition.
The doubles match is an extraordinary collection of US Open champions.
Federer won the tournament five times, while Roddick took the trophy once in 2003. Agassi won the US Open twice, in 1994 and 1999, and McEnroe won four times.
For Federer, the night will also be a chance to reunite with the New York crowd.
Arthur Ashe Stadium has played an important role in his career. His five consecutive US Open titles from 2004 to 2008 are a big part of his career.
Federer has previously returned to the US Open as a spectator after retirement. New York fans were very impressed with his appearances.
This time, however, he will actually step onto the court.
Federer's return comes as he is also being recognised for his extraordinary contribution to tennis. He will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2026.
The exhibition is not part of the official US Open singles competition, and Federer is not making a comeback to professional tennis.
But it is a Fan Week event to honor tennis history, and let fans see a few of the legends together.
It is the Federer-Roddick match that is especially nostalgic because of their ATP history. Federer had a dominant record in the official rivalry with several Grand Slam matches.
But exhibition tennis is different from their competitive meetings. And, this time, the focus will be on entertainment, nostalgia and giving fans one more opportunity to see two former champions play against each other.
The night will also feature Federer and McEnroe playing against Roddick and Agassi.
With four previous US Open champions on the court, it is expected to be one of the highlights of the tournament’s Fan Week.
It will be Federer’s return to a venue where he made some of his greatest memories.
For Roddick, it will be another chance to play in front of the New York crowd at the tournament where he won his only Grand Slam title.
And for tennis fans, it is something professional tennis seldom provides: four legends from different generations sharing the same court.
The exhibition will take place on August 25 at Arthur Ashe Stadium, so Federer fans can see the Swiss icon back in action in New York.
