Roger Federer is coming back to the US Open — with a rematch against one of his biggest rivals
ATPMonday, 24 August 2026 at 08:30
Roger Federer will return to Arthur Ashe Stadium this week for a star-studded US Open Fan Week exhibition, reuniting with longtime rival Andy Roddick and sharing the court with fellow legends Andre Agassi and John McEnroe. The 20-time Grand Slam champion will play on Tuesday, August 25, in an event that marks his first return to the US Open since 2019.
Federer will begin the evening with a one-set singles exhibition against Roddick, before teaming up with McEnroe for a doubles match against Roddick and Agassi. Both matches will use a deciding point at deuce, making for a fast-paced format designed for the Fan Week crowd rather than a traditional competitive contest.
The return carries particular significance given Federer's relationship with the tournament. He won five consecutive US Open titles from 2004 through 2008, a record that remains unmatched in men's or women's singles, and last competed in New York in 2019. The exhibition will therefore give fans an opportunity to see him back on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court seven years after his last appearance there.
Federer has remained active in tennis-related exhibitions since retiring in 2022, but his appearance in New York will be one of the most notable. The Swiss was also inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame earlier this year, adding another major milestone to a post-playing career that has increasingly involved special events and appearances around the sport.
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Federer and Roddick renew one of tennis' great rivalries
Federer and Roddick met 24 times on the ATP Tour, with Federer winning 21 of those encounters. Despite the heavily one-sided record, their rivalry became one of the defining matchups of the 2000s as both players competed for Grand Slam titles and the No. 1 ranking.
Their most memorable meetings came on the biggest stages. Federer defeated Roddick in three Wimbledon finals, including their epic 2009 championship match, while Roddick's victory over Juan Carlos Ferrero in the 2003 US Open final remains his only Grand Slam singles title. Their reunion in New York will therefore bring together two players whose careers were closely intertwined during one of tennis' strongest eras.
Roddick will also join Federer, Agassi and McEnroe in the doubles exhibition, creating an unusual meeting of four generations of American and international tennis history. The US Open has described the event as a one-night-only celebration, with the exhibition scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick #Wimbledon final from July 5, 2009 lasted 4 hours and 16 minutes, including a 95-minute fifth set, and lasted 77 games -- marking the longest major final in history. pic.twitter.com/RgCGZecV2X
— Roger Federer Book (@FedererBook) July 5, 2023
Grand Slam H2H: Federer 7-1 Roddick.
| Year | Grand Slam | Round | Winner | Score |
| 2003 | Wimbledon | SF | Roger Federer | 7-6(6), 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2004 | Wimbledon | F | Roger Federer | 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-4 |
| 2005 | Australian Open | SF | Andy Roddick | 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2005 | Wimbledon | SF | Roger Federer | 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-4 |
| 2006 | US Open | F | Roger Federer | 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 |
| 2007 | Australian Open | SF | Roger Federer | 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 |
| 2007 | US Open | QF | Roger Federer | 7-6(5), 7-6(4), 6-2 |
| 2009 | Wimbledon | F | Roger Federer | 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 3-6, 16-14 |
Shanghai will provide another Federer return
New York will not be Federer's only exhibition appearance this year. The Swiss is also scheduled to return to the Shanghai Masters in October for another edition of the “Roger & Friends” celebrity doubles event.
Federer will team up with Chinese tennis legend Li Na against former world No. 1 siblings Marat Safin and Dinara Safina on October 16. The event will take place during the Shanghai Masters, where Federer won two titles in 2014 and 2017 and has remained a popular figure since his retirement.
The Shanghai appearance reinforces Federer's continued connection with the sport without suggesting a return to professional competition. His 2026 schedule instead increasingly revolves around carefully selected exhibitions, allowing him to revisit some of the tournaments, cities and rivals that defined his playing career.
For now, however, New York takes center stage. Federer will return to the court where he created one of the most dominant stretches in US Open history, with Roddick waiting on the other side of the net and Agassi and McEnroe joining him later in the evening.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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