Full Breakdown
Roger Federer Returns to Flushing Meadows for Farewell Exhibition
8/24/2026, 11:58:02 PM
Federer’s Exhibition Return at Flushing Meadows
The event, staged at Arthur Ashe Stadium, will feature fellow retired greats Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe. Ticket resale listings have reached upwards of $2,000** on Ticketmaster’s secondary market — Reuters. Federer confirmed he will not seek a wild-card entry into future singles draws.
Background & Context
Federer’s last competitive US Open match came in the 2019 quarterfinals, where a five-set loss to Grigor Dimitrov ended his run. He missed the 2020 and 2021 editions because of a persistent knee injury and announced his retirement two weeks after the 2021 US Open — AMNY. The 2019 defeat left many fans without a proper farewell after his five consecutive US Open titles, a record unmatched in the Open Era — Reuters and AMNY.
Data & Statistics
- Five consecutive US Open championships (2004-2008) – only player to achieve this streak in the Open Era.
- 20 Grand Slam singles titles over his career.
- Ticket resale price: > $2,000 per seat.
Official Statements & Responses
He noted the nerves of returning after roughly five years without playing a singles set, but expressed happiness at revisiting the venue that hosted many of his career highlights. He also reflected on the rapid pace of life and his role as a fan rather than a competitor, underscoring his contentment with his current health.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It really gives me a true opportunity to say thank you, goodbye, which is I think important for some,” — Roger Federer
- “After Wimbledon that summer, I could feel on vacation that this is it. The knee can’t do it anymore. It’s tired,” — Roger Federer
- “It really gives me a true opportunity to say thank you and goodbye, which is important for some – for me it is. It’s a nice thing to do,” — Roger Federer
- “It’s nice to look back one more time, because life goes quick, especially with four children,” — Roger Federer
The exhibition precedes Federer’s induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame later in August, offering a final public celebration of a career that reshaped modern tennis.
