Roger Federer to return to US Open for one-night exhibition event
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Swiss Roger Federer, five-time US Open winner, will return to the Grand Slam in New York for an exhibition event on Aug 25.
PHOTO: REUTERS
NEW YORK – Roger Federer will return to the US Open for an exhibition match, seven years after his last appearance at the Grand Slam in 2019, event organisers said on June 8.
The Swiss legend, who is the only player to win five consecutive US Open titles from 2004 to 2008, will headline an event titled Roger Federer: An Icon Returns To New York on Aug 25.
The 44-year-old won 20 Grand Slam titles – the first man to reach that milestone – and claimed 103 career titles before retiring in 2022. He brought the curtain down at the Laver Cup in London after 24 years on the tour.
He will be joined by 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick, as well as fellow legends Andre Agassi and John McEnroe.
“The US Open has always been one of the most special tournaments for me,” Federer said in a statement.
“So many unforgettable moments of my career happened in New York, and Arthur Ashe Stadium is a place that means a great deal to me.
“I’ve missed being part of that atmosphere and feeling the incredible energy that the fans bring every year.”
Federer is also set to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, with the ceremony scheduled for August in Newport, Rhode Island.
The US Open starts with the qualifying rounds on Aug 24, before the main draw begins on Aug 30 and ends with the men’s singles final on Sept 13.
Meanwhile, 2025 Queen’s champion Tatjana Maria said on June 8 that she thought she would get a wild card, after having to come through two qualifying matches to begin the defence of her title.
The German mother of two became the oldest winner of a WTA 500 title at the age of 37 when she defeated Amanda Anisimova in the 2025 final, when women’s tennis returned to Queen’s Club in London for the first time since 1973.
Nevertheless, Maria missed out on a wild card for the grass-court tournament, a warmup event for Wimbledon, after all four went to British players, but the world No. 52 has made it through to the main draw.
“I think with all the respect of what I did last year, I was pretty sure to get a wild card or I was hoping to get a wild card,” the 38-year-old told reporters, having beaten Briton Yuriko Lily Miyazaki and Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova to reach the first round.
“It was not, like, five years ago, it was last year and especially this tournament and to come back like a champion, I hoped and I thought I would get a wild card.
“I was surprised when I got the message from (tournament director) Laura Robson saying all the wild cards would go to the British players, which I understand of course, but you know as a champion, it’s tough for me (to accept).” REUTERS
