Roger Federer: “In 2004, 2005… That’s When It All Started Here, My Love for New York” — Tennis Legend Returns to Arthur Ashe Stadium for US Open Exhibition
Seven years after his final competitive appearance in Flushing Meadows, 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer made an unforgettable return to Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night.
The 103-time tour-level titlist, who officially retired from professional tennis in 2022, was welcomed with a roaring standing ovation as he walked onto the largest tennis-only stadium in the world for a star-studded Fan Week exhibition.
The evening kicked off with a throwback singles clash against former World No. 1 and longtime rival Andy Roddick, with Federer showcasing his trademark elegance in a 6-3 victory. The 45-year-old Swiss icon then teamed up with four-time US Open champion John McEnroe in a doubles thriller, edging the legendary duo of Andre Agassi and Roddick 7-5 to complete a sweep of the night’s action.
Addressing the packed New York crowd, the five-time consecutive US Open champion (2004-2008) reminisced about his earliest days on center court.
“It’s great to be back in New York,” Federer said. “It’s incredible. I have incredible memories of this court, the fans here, the city. In 2004, 2005 — that’s when it all started here, my love for New York with the victories here.”
“I fell in love with this city and this court from day one,” Federer added with a laugh. “I believe my first time on the center court was against Andre [in 2001]. He smashed me 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. I had no shot. I was like, ‘Okay, not so easy, not so fast, Roger’.”
Tributes, Legends, and Hall of Fame Praise
The celebration brought together pop culture royalty and tennis icons alike. A tribute video narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey aired on the stadium’s big screens, while Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour conducted the ceremonial coin toss before the Federer-Roddick singles match. Scanning the stands revealed a star-studded audience featuring Serena Williams, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud, and Alexandra Eala watching the maestro work his magic.
The blockbuster night served as a grand curtain-raiser for Saturday, August 29, when Federer will be officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. As one of just 29 members of the elite ATP No. 1 Club, Federer spent 310 total weeks atop the PIF ATP Rankings, including an all-time record 237 consecutive weeks in the top spot.
His fellow legends were quick to heap praise—and a touch of humor—on the inductee-to-be:
“It’s gonna be an epic weekend for tennis in general,” John McEnroe said. “I’m so happy that I’m going to be up there [in Newport] for a couple days to witness it. And have fun, that would be my recommendation. I know he will.”
“How cool is it that this dude is going in the Hall of Fame this year? Well done, Roger,” Andre Agassi joked. “I gotta say — I think I was the first person to know he was going to make the Hall of Fame. When he won his 19th Slam, I was like, ‘Yeah, he’s got this’. I thought the 20th was unnecessary and a little bit on the insecure side. Nevertheless, I’m really pumped because it makes everybody else who’s figured out how to barely get in feel a heck of a lot better about themselves.”
“We obviously played a bunch and he beat me a bunch,” Andy Roddick reflected warmly. “But we were always able to navigate a friendship through the middle of our careers and that’s lasted until now and hopefully will last forever.”
The historic evening reached a mesmerizing close high above the grounds as a spectacular drone light show illuminated the New York sky, painting silhouettes of Federer, his iconic “RF” logo, and the silvery US Open trophy across the night.
