“That was awesome”: Roger Federer names his favourite Super Bowl halftime show

The 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer swapped tennis events for the bright lights of the Super Bowl, making a rare public appearance at the biggest sporting event in the United States and sharing a personal memory tied to one of the most iconic moments in NFL history.

The former world No. 1 had been seen just a few weeks earlier attending the Australian Open — his first time there as a former player — and even taking part in a legends exhibition match, where he teamed up with Andre Agassi, and later with Ash Barty, to defeat former Australian world No. 1s Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt during an emotional opening day of the Happy Slam.

This time, the Swiss Maestro was once again seen at a high-profile global sporting event. Federer was among a long list of global celebrities attending the Super Bowl on Sunday, where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots. For Federer, however, the night was about more than just the game. Speaking in a brief interview shared by the NFL on social media, the Swiss legend reflected on what remains his favourite Super Bowl memory from a previous visit.

“I was at the Super Bowl in ’08 in Arizona when Tom Brady was going for the perfect season and then we had the catch, I remember, on the helmet,” Federer said to NFL social media, recalling the legendary moment from Super Bowl XLII, when the New York Giants stunned the Patriots. “That was my favourite memory obviously of being in the stadium.”

Federer’s presence once again underlined the Super Bowl’s status as a global cultural event, extending far beyond American football. Each year, the game draws not only millions of viewers worldwide but also a high-profile guest list spanning sport, music and entertainment. This edition was no different, with Bon Jovi, Lewis Hamilton, Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Chris Pratt all spotted in attendance.

The halftime show, traditionally one of the most anticipated segments of the night, was headlined by Bad Bunny, adding further international appeal. Asked about his favourite halftime performance of all time, Federer pointed to a true classic. “From YouTube, everything I saw, it was Michael Jackson,” he said. “The moment when he comes and he shows up, that was awesome. Then I liked Eminem and 50 Cent and Dr. Dre. That’s music I also grew up with.”

While Federer has been a familiar face at major sporting events since retiring from professional tennis, his Super Bowl appearances remain relatively rare. His first visit came in 2008, at the height of his dominance in tennis, when he attended while ranked world No. 1. Nearly two decades later, his return highlighted how seamlessly he has transitioned into the role of a global sporting icon, equally at ease courtside at tennis tournaments or in the stands at one of the world’s biggest spectacles.