Roger Federer to 'celebrate memories' with US Open return in exhibition match, will face Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe
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Published 08/06/2026 at 18:28 GMT+1
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Roger Federer is set to return under the lights of the Arthur Ashe Stadium this summer at the 2026 US Open after the Swiss confirmed he is to play in an exhibition match.
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The 20-time Grand Slam champion retired in September 2022 at the age of 41, but fans of one of the greatest players of all time will get the chance to see him grace a tennis court again at Flushing Meadows.
Nearly four years on from his final match, Federer will face 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe on Tuesday, August 25 in an exhibition event aptly named 'Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York'.
"The US Open has always been one of the most special tournaments for me," said Federer, 44, during Monday's announcement.
"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.
"To return to Arthur Ashe and share the evening with Andy, Andre and John makes it even more meaningful. I’m looking forward to celebrating those memories, seeing the fans again, and enjoying a very special night together."
The final few years of Federer's career were hampered by injuries, meaning his final appearance in New York came in 2019.
A persistent knee problem had restricted him to playing in only three of the 11 Grand Slams staged from the start of 2020 to the moment of his retirement.
He won all five of his US Open titles in consecutive years between 2004 and 2008, and remains the only person - man or woman - to achieve that feat in the Open era.
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Having made his professional debut as a 16-year-old in 1998, the Swiss maestro rose to become one of the defining figures of the modern game, winning his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003 and ultimately claiming a record eight men's singles crowns at the All England Club.
Federer's final competitive match was his defeat by Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2021.
Only Serbia's Novak Djokovic, with 24 majors, and Spain's Rafael Nadal, with 22, have more men's Grand Slam singles titles.
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Brian Vahaly, the USTA's chairman of the board, president and interim co-CEO, said: "It goes without saying that Roger Federer is one of the greatest champions to ever step onto a tennis court, and his legacy at the US Open will carry on for generations.
"We're thrilled to welcome him back for this unique and special event, giving fans an opportunity to celebrate Roger's legacy, and thank him for all he has meant to our sport."
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Has Federer played many exhibition matches?
In October 2025, Federer returned to the court in a celebrity-style doubles exhibition at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, teaming up with actor Donnie Yen and others in a light-hearted event involving former professionals and entertainment figures.
In January, Federer participated in a doubles exhibition in Melbourne alongside former champions Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt, and Pat Rafter during the Australian Open's opening celebrations.
The exhibition evening at the US Open will begin on August 25 at 19:00 BST with further celebrity appearances promised.
Retirement has marked the beginning of a successful second chapter rather than a departure from public life. Federer has remained closely connected to tennis through the Laver Cup.
His investment in Swiss sportswear brand On has proved particularly successful, while the Roger Federer Foundation continues to support education initiatives for children across South Africa and Switzerland.
Away from the spotlight of professional sport, Federer has embraced family life and the opportunity to spend more time with his wife, Mirka, and their four children.
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