Roger Federer returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night for an exhibition match as part of the US Open Fan Fest [1, 4].
The appearance marks the first time the tennis legend has visited the tournament since 2019 [1, 3]. For fans and the sport, the return of a five-time US Open champion [2] to the U.S. Open grounds signals a high-profile celebration of the game's history during the tournament's opening festivities.
Federer faced former rival Andy Roddick in the exhibition [1]. The event took place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York [1, 3]. This appearance ends a seven-year absence from the tournament [3].
Organizers scheduled two exhibition matches as part of the Fan Fest programming [3]. While some reports described the appearance as a single match for fun, other sources indicated a broader schedule for the event [3].
The return of Federer to the stadium where he won multiple titles serves as a centerpiece for the 2026 Fan Fest. The event allows spectators to see retired icons in a non-competitive setting before the main draw of the tournament begins.
“Roger Federer returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night”
Federer's return to the US Open highlights the tournament's strategy of using legendary figures to drive engagement through 'Fan Fest' events. By pairing Federer with a former rival like Andy Roddick, the USTA leverages nostalgia to attract a wider demographic of spectators who may not follow the current professional circuit but remain loyal to the icons of the 2000s era.
