Roger Federer playing Flushing Meadows exhibition in a long-overdue US Open send-off
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Roger Federer getting back in the swing of things at Flushing Meadows, New York, on Aug 24, ahead of his Aug 25 exhibition match. “I haven’t played a single set in – I don’t know – maybe five years,” he told reporters.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Roger Federer will play a special exhibition match at Flushing Meadows on Aug 25 as a proper farewell to the US Open, where he last competed in 2019.
- Federer expressed excitement and nervousness about returning after years away, saying the event is important to say thank you and goodbye to fans.
- He will join other retired tennis legends for the exhibition but confirmed he will not return to singles competition, citing physical limits and a busy schedule.
AI generated
NEW YORK – Roger Federer is making a long-awaited curtain call for his adoring fans at Flushing Meadows on Aug 25, as the man who defined a generation of tennis plays in an exhibition event ahead of the US Open singles main draw.
His final US Open match in 2019 lacked the romantic send-off that fans have come to expect of former champions, as the Swiss exited in the quarter-finals, with many expecting him to return to play at the event again.
But he was absent from the Major in 2020 and played in his final Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2021, leaving the New York tournament he once dominated without a proper farewell.
“It really gives me a true opportunity to say thank you, goodbye, which is I think important for some,” said Federer, whose five consecutive US Open triumphs from 2004 to 2008 are unmatched by any man in the Open era.
“For me, it is, and it’s a nice thing to do.”
The Aug 25 exhibition, US Open: Roger Federer – An Icon Returns To NY, was fetching upwards of US$2,000 (S$2,540) on Ticketmaster’s resale platform on Aug 24, and the Swiss maestro hoped he could hit the right notes after a long layoff.
“It’s nerve-racking, to be honest. I haven’t played a single set in – I don’t know – maybe five years. Don’t know how it’s going to go,” he told reporters.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty, but a lot of happiness that I can return.”
Federer will play alongside fellow retired greats Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the newly unretired American Serena Williams, who is 44, was due to play mixed doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.
Williams’ return to New York had Flushing Meadows buzzing on Aug 24, as fans had already begun to flood the plaza to catch some of the singles qualifying tournament.
Asked if he would ever consider accepting a wild card to the singles competition, Federer, who is only one year Williams’ senior, was emphatic: “No, no, no, no, no, no.”
“I’ve got just way too many obstacles, and I’m too busy – I’m barely finding time to play any exos,” said Federer, who is due to be inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame on Aug 29.
“The body is done.”
The US Open men’s and women’s singles main draw begins on Aug 30. REUTERS
