Tennis legend Roger Federer is returning to the spotlight at Flushing Meadows on August 25, 2026, for a special US Open exhibition that will give the 20-time Grand Slam champion a long-awaited opportunity to celebrate his remarkable New York career with fans.
The one-night event, officially titled “Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York,” is being staged at Arthur Ashe Stadium during US Open Fan Week. The US Open says Federer will return to the court alongside fellow champions Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe.
Federer Back at Flushing Meadows After Seven Years
Federer’s appearance marks his first return to the US Open spotlight since he last competed at the tournament in 2019. He did not play the event again before retiring from professional tennis in 2022.
The Swiss great said the exhibition gives him the chance to properly thank and say goodbye to New York fans—something he never had the opportunity to do at the end of his playing career.
Federer’s connection with Flushing Meadows remains historic. He captured five consecutive US Open singles titles from 2004 through 2008, a run unmatched by another man in the Open Era.
Roddick, Agassi and McEnroe Join Federer
The exhibition is set to feature Federer facing former rival Andy Roddick in singles before Federer partners with John McEnroe for doubles against Roddick and Andre Agassi. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on August 25 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Demand has been enormous. Reuters reported that resale tickets were being offered for more than $2,000 ahead of the event, illustrating the continuing popularity of the 45-year-old Swiss icon.
Federer Rules Out Professional Comeback
Despite excitement surrounding his return to the court, Federer has made clear that fans should not interpret the exhibition as the beginning of a competitive comeback.
Federer acknowledged feeling nervous about playing again after such a long absence but firmly dismissed the possibility of returning to professional singles, pointing to physical limitations and the demands of his post-retirement life.
The New York appearance also comes during a significant week for Federer’s legacy. He is scheduled to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, adding another major honour to one of tennis’s most celebrated careers.
For Federer and his fans, the US Open exhibition is therefore less about a comeback and more about one final celebration at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where he created some of the defining moments of his career.
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