Roger Federer hit Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time since 2019 on Tuesday, and if you watched it, you know exactly why the tennis world went absolutely wild. The 20-time Grand Slam champion stepped onto the court for a special exhibition event ahead of the US Open’s main draw, joined by a legendary crew: Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, and Andre Agassi. It wasn’t just a friendly gathering, though; Federer proved he still has that magic.
The King Is Back, And The Backhand Is Still Elite
The first hint that this night was going to be special? Just the reaction Federer got before a simple coin toss. Then, once the tennis started, any doubts about his skills after so long away from the game evaporated. He faced Roddick in a singles set, and it was a masterclass. Federer cruised to a 6-3 victory, flashing that powerful serve and some of his signature backhands that used to carve up opponents for fun. Think about that for a second: he hadn’t played a singles set in five years, “Hurkacz at Wimbledon maybe,” as Federer himself recalled Monday, according to Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press. He admitted “a lot of uncertainty,” but there was also “a lot of happiness that I can return to Arthur Ashe,” a place that gave him so many “beautiful moments.” Fans definitely got to remember those beautiful moments watching him dominate a court where he won five consecutive US Open men’s singles titles from 2004 through 2008, and even reached the final in 2009 and 2015.
Doubles Delight and The Dream Killer Quote
Federer wasn’t just showing off his singles game. He mixed it up in a doubles match that was absolutely stacked with notable names in the second half of Tuesday’s performance. Teaming up with John McEnroe, they faced off against Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi. And guess what? Federer wasn’t done winning, no way. He and McEnroe defeated Roddick and Agassi, 7-5, a match that let all four legends truly showcase their skills. But if you were hoping this meant a full-blown comeback for the 45-year-old, get ready for some tough news. Ahead of the event, Federer was quick to shut down any rumors. “No, no, no, no. No, not at all,” he stated firmly. “Thanks for asking. I wasn’t sure if the question was going to get asked, but I’m happy you did so I can clarify in case anybody thought.” So yeah, he’s still got it, but he’s not coming back to the tour.
This Tuesday exhibition was just the beginning of a celebratory week for an all-time great. Federer is the headliner for the 2026 International Tennis Hall of Fame class and is set to be enshrined Saturday in Newport, Rhode Island. The main draw of the US Open kicks off soon, so keep an eye out for all the action on the courts. What a legend.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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