Roger Federer is set to make a long-anticipated return to play at Flushing Meadows as the five-time consecutive US Open men’s singles champion will play in an exhibition match, live on Sky Sports.
The 45-year-old will walk out onto the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium as a player for the first time since he was beaten by Grigor Dimitrov in 2019.
After a knee injury prevented him from entering the draw for the 2020 US Open, Federer would not return to play at the Grand Slam before announcing his retirement in September 2022.
Federer will play in an exhibition match at the US Open on Tuesday
The Swiss tennis great never got his opportunity to say a proper farewell to the New York fans during his playing career.
But he will get his chance with his exhibition match, Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York, set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event from 1am (BST) on Wednesday morning.
“It really gives me a true opportunity to say thank you and goodbye, which I think is important for some,” Federer said.
“It’s a nice thing to do, for sure.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Federer (pictured) will play alongside Andre Agassi, John McEnroe and Andy Roddick in the exhibition
Federer will play one set of singles against Andy Roddick before he teams up with John McEnroe to face off against Roddick and Andre Agassi in a doubles match as part of the exhibition event.
However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion said he was nervous about the event.
“It’s nerve-wracking. I haven’t played a singles set in, I don’t know, since [Hubert] Hurkacz at Wimbledon in 2021 maybe, so it’s been five years,” Federer said on Monday, referring to the final Grand Slam match of his career.
“I don’t know how it’s going to go tomorrow. There is a lot of uncertainty but a lot of happiness that I can return to Arthur Ashe, a place where I have had so many beautiful memories.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Federer (right) said he was not thinking about a return to professional tennis either
Serena Williams’ surprise partnership with Carlos Alcaraz for the mixed doubles event has been the talk of the tournament.
But when asked if he’d consider coming out of retirement like Williams, aged 44, Federer responded: “No, not at all.
“Thanks for asking. I wasn’t sure if the question was going to get asked, but I’m happy you did so I can clarify in case anybody thought.”
Watch Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York live on Sky Sports Main Event from 1am BST on Tuesday. Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract 📱
