Roger Federer celebrated in US Open return for exhibition vs Roddick

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a shot in the exhibition singles match against Andy Roddick of the United States during Fan Week at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 25, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images/AFP

NEW YORK — Five-time US Open champion Roger Federer returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night to play one last match for fun against longtime rival and friend Andy Roddick.

The event billed as “An Icon Returns to New York” packed the stands full of fans there to watch the 45-year-old from Switzerland face Roddick — soon to be 44 — in a prime time exhibition. Many wore hats with the distinctive “RF” logo that became commonplace in the sport during Federer’s decade and a half of dominance featuring 20 Grand Slam titles.

“It’s great to be back in New York,” Federer said. “I have incredible memories, obviously, of this court, of the fans here, of the city.”

READ: Roger Federer coming back to play at US Open exhibition

Oh, the beauty! pic.twitter.com/IfXq6h6Nbf

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 26, 2026

Federer reminisced about visiting for the first time to play juniors in 1998 and reaching the final. Three years later, his debut on center court was a straight-sets loss to Andre Agassi.

“He smashed me 6-1, 6-2, 6-4,” Federer said. “I had no shot. And I was like, ‘OK, not so easy, not fast, Roger.’ But, still, I’ll remember this center court forever.”

Roger Federer of Switzerland and Andy Roddick of the United States shake hands at the net after their exhibition singles match during Fan Week at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 25, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images/AFP

In 2005, Federer defeated Agassi to win the U.S. Open for the second of five in a row through ’08.

“The one against Andre, I think, was extremely special: playing a legend that was coming towards the end of his career — that we had a chance to play against each other,” Federer said. “And every player I was able to play against in the finals here also was a U.S. Open champion. It’s been an incredible run. I loved it.”

READ: Roger Federer’s journey to the top of men’s tennis game

Thank you, Roger 💙

It was a special night. pic.twitter.com/noaGJCkV8Z

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 26, 2026

Roddick, who won the tournament in ’03, credited the fans and Federer for his return.

“It comes down to Roger,” Roddick said. “Obviously we played a bunch and he beat me a bunch, but we were always able to navigate a friendship through the middle of our careers that’s lasted till now and will hopefully last forever. It’s just about showing up when Roger asks you to.”

Federer, who last competed at the U.S. Open in 2019 and retired in 2022, then teamed up with John McEnroe and faced Roddick and Agassi in a doubles exhibition.