Roger Federer seems forward to his exhibition return to Arthur Ashe Stadium. Photograph: AFP
NEW YORK:
Roger Federer mentioned Monday he’s wanting ahead to this week’s celebratory return to Arthur Ashe Stadium to play for the primary time since his ultimate US Open in 2019.
The exhibition Tuesday evening throughout “fan week” forward of Sunday’s begin of the match options doubles with former rivals Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, together with John McEnroe, one other large of the game.
The group collectively has received a dozen mens’ singles titles on the US Open.
“It actually offers me a real alternative to say thanks,” Federer mentioned at a information convention Monday previewing the match and his upcoming induction to the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame later this week in Newport.
New York followers of Federer have been disadvantaged of a real sendoff for the 20-time Grand Slam champion as marked by Agassi, Serena Williams and another champions.
When Federer misplaced within the 2019 quarterfinals to Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, he had deliberate to maintain enjoying. And whereas he did proceed to compete, accidents prevented participation within the US Open in both 2020 or 2021 forward of his final match on the Laver Cup in September 2022.
Whereas Federer has performed another exhibitions since retiring, he mentioned Monday that the time had solely appeared to fall into place for a New York match this yr forward of the Newport ceremony.
“The youngsters are getting older,” he mentioned of his 4 kids, two units of twins now 12 and 17. “To allow them to additionally perhaps get pleasure from somewhat bit seeing, their dad play.”
Federer expects a “respectful” match with a not-too-intense stage of competitors.
“We’re not enjoying greatest of 5,” he mentioned “I hope it’ll be plenty of enjoyable for us and the identical for the followers to only see us again out enjoying.”
However Federer rapidly shot down any questions on a tennis comeback, saying “no” not less than 9 occasions to a query on whether or not he was concerned about a wildcard.
“There’s simply means too many obstacles, and I am too busy,” he mentioned. “All good and simply only a fan now, simply having fun with watching.”