Six years after his last match in New York, Roger Federer finally got the goodbye Arthur Ashe Stadium never gave him: a night of exhibitions against old rivals, a packed crowd chanting his initials, and a drone show lighting up the night sky in tribute to five US Open titles. New York made Federer wait for it, but it made sure the wait was worth it.
The return that took six years
Federer walked back onto Arthur Ashe during Fan Week ahead of the 2026 US Open, his first appearance at the Grand Slam since a quarter-final loss to Grigor Dimitrov in 2019. Billed as “An Icon Returns to New York,” the exhibition drew a crowd that had waited years for this moment, with many fans in the stands wearing the distinctive RF logo that became synonymous with his two decades of dominance.
It is also a story that hits close to home for Filipino tennis fans. Alex Eala, who had front-row seats to Federer’s return, is one of the sport’s brightest young names and continues to turn heads at this year’s US Open.
Old rivals, one more time
Federer played two exhibition matches on the night. He opened with a one-set singles encounter against longtime rival Andy Roddick, his first singles match since his defeat to Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon in 2021. Despite admitting beforehand that he was nervous, Federer prevailed 6-3, striking nine aces in a performance that briefly reminded the crowd of the player who once ruled Flushing Meadows.
He then teamed up with John McEnroe to beat Andre Agassi and Roddick 7-5 in the one-set doubles exhibition, before sitting alongside the three other legends as the evening’s finale got underway.
A drone show made for a legend
At the end of the night, organisers staged a spectacular drone show over Arthur Ashe that celebrated Federer’s five consecutive US Open titles between 2004 and 2008, giving the Swiss great the farewell New York never got as a professional player. The 45-year-old stood up to thank the electric crowd as fans rose to their feet to salute a legend whose relationship with the city had never quite been given a proper ending.
Here is how Federer’s banner US Open run compares with the night’s results at a glance:
| Federer at the US Open | Detail |
|---|---|
| Consecutive titles (2004-2008) | 5 |
| Total Grand Slam titles | 20 |
| Last US Open match before 2026 | 2019 (loss to Dimitrov) |
| Singles exhibition vs Roddick | Won 6-3 (9 aces) |
| Doubles exhibition (with McEnroe) | Won 7-5 vs Agassi/Roddick |
| Next stop | Hall of Fame induction, Newport |
Not the last we will see of him
The trip is also part of a longer journey: Federer will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this Saturday in Newport, Rhode Island. And while there is no competitive comeback planned, Federer indicated his relationship with the US Open is not quite over, with a return next week in a broadcasting role expected.
Filipino fans following the tournament can also keep an eye on Eala’s run at the 2026 US Open, where the young Filipina continues to carry the flag in New York.
