Roger Federer is back at the US Open: the master of the place will play Tuesday in New York in an exhibition match on the famous Arthur Ashe court, where he has been crowned five times.
“To be honest, it’s stressful. I haven’t played a single set since, I think, Hurkacz at Wimbledon, it must have been five years,” the Swiss tennis legend said on Monday with a smile.
“There is a lot of joy in being able to come back to where I experienced so many beautiful moments.”
The man with 20 Grand Slams will find time to play doubles against other tennis greats: Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, and John McEnroe.
A dream quartet before the start of the US Open on Sunday, which gives Federer “a real opportunity to say thank you and goodbye”.
The Swiss never really said goodbye to New York. In 2019, he lost in the quarterfinals to Grigor Dimitrov. He intended to return in subsequent years, but injuries prevented him from doing so in 2020 and 2021, before retiring at the Laver Cup in 2022.
“The children are growing up, so they will be able to enjoy watching their dad play a little,” Federer said of his four children, two pairs of twins aged 12 and 17.
His most precious memory from the US Open? “I think it’s simply being able to string together five titles in a row,” from 2004 to 2008.
“It’s the last Grand Slam of the season, everyone wants to win it at all costs, everyone can play on hard courts, and with the humidity, the wind, and all these differences one year after another, it’s very hard. So looking back on it, it’s incredible.”
Tuesday’s match, “it will be very nice for us, and the same for the fans who will be there to see us play.”
The Swiss, 45, expects a “relaxed” duel. “We don’t play best of five sets.”
To the question of a return to the courts as a professional, the answer is clear: “No, no, no, not at all. Thanks for asking the question. I was wondering if it was going to be asked, but I’m glad to be able to clarify in case anyone had any doubts.”
Federer will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday in Newport, in the eastern United States.
