Federer returns to Arthur Ashe Stadium for U.S. Open exhibition against Andy Roddick

Five-time U.S. Open champion Roger Federer returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) night to play an exhibition against longtime rival and friend Andy Roddick at the U.S. Open.

The event, billed as "An Icon Returns to New York," filled the stands and featured many fans wearing hats bearing the RF logo associated with Federer's career; Federer is 45 and Roddick is soon to be 44. Photographs accompanying coverage showed Federer in a doubles exhibition alongside John McEnroe against Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, with the image credited to Reuters.

"It's great to be back in New York," Federer said, and he recalled first visiting the city to play juniors in 1998, when he reached the final. He described his 2001 debut on center court as a straight-sets loss to Andre Agassi and said, "He smashed me 6-1, 6-2, 6-4," adding, "I had no shot. And I was like, 'OK, not so easy, not fast, Roger.' But, still, I’ll remember this center court forever."

Federer noted his 2005 victory over Agassi as the first of his five consecutive U.S. Open titles from 2005 through 2009. "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."

Roddick, who won the U.S. Open in 2003, said the night was prompted by Federer and acknowledged the fans' role in the occasion.

"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."