Roger Federer is poised to stage a long‑awaited comeback on the famed courts of Flushing Meadows, stepping onto the stage for an exhibition match that will be shown live on Sky Sports. The 45‑year‑old Swiss legend, who captured five straight US Open men’s singles titles, will make his first appearance at Arthur Ashe Stadium since his defeat by Grigor Dimitrov in 2019. The former world No.
1 was forced to miss the 2020 US Open after a knee injury ruled him out of the tournament, and he never returned to the Grand Slam arena before announcing his retirement in September 2022. As a result, Federer never had the chance to bid a proper farewell to the New York crowd that had supported him throughout his illustrious career.
Now, the Swiss maestro will finally get that moment during the exhibition event titled "Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York," slated for a live broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event at 1 a.m. 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 explained. "It’s a nice thing to do, for sure." The program will feature a single set of men’s singles pitting Federer against former U.S.
Open champion Andy Roddick, followed by a doubles showdown in which Federer will team up with the legendary John McEnroe to take on the pair of Roddick and Andre Agassi. The exhibition is designed to celebrate the sport’s history and to give fans a final glimpse of Federer’s elegance on the court. Despite the celebratory tone, the 20‑time Grand Slam champion admitted to feeling a degree of nerves ahead of 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," he said on Monday, referring to his last competitive Grand Slam match. "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." Federer’s return comes at a time when tennis fans are also buzzing about other high‑profile moments at the US Open. For instance, Serena Williams surprised everyone by partnering with Carlos Alcaraz for a mixed‑doubles exhibition, generating considerable media buzz.
When asked whether he might follow Williams’ example and un‑retire, Federer was unequivocal: "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." The exhibition will also be an opportunity for Sky Sports viewers to enjoy a broader range of tennis content. The network is promoting its streaming service NOW, which offers live coverage of the US Open along with other tournaments, plus a comprehensive A‑Z guide to tennis terminology, highlights, interviews, and video features.
Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for the best video‑player experience. In summary, Federer’s participation in the exhibition match serves multiple purposes: it provides a heartfelt goodbye to the New York fans who have cheered him on for nearly two decades, it adds star power to the US Open festivities, and it allows the tennis world to celebrate one of its most graceful ambassadors one last time on a Grand Slam stage. Whether the match lives up to the lofty expectations of fans or simply offers a nostalgic glimpse of Federer’s classic shot‑making, the event is set to be a memorable chapter in the sport’s history. Fans who cannot access Sky Sports via traditional means can still catch the broadcast through Sky Sports’ streaming options, which require no long‑term contract.
The match promises to be a blend of competitive spirit, camaraderie among legends, and a poignant farewell to a player whose influence on tennis transcends statistics and trophies.