Federer, who retired from the professional game in 2022, delighted a capacity New York crowd with a set against old rival Andy Roddick, winning 6-3, before pairing up with John McEnroe to beat Andre Agassi and Roddick 7-5 in a doubles match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to be back in New York,\u201d Federer said. \u201cIt\u2019s incredible. I have incredible memories of this court, the fans here, the city. In 2004, 2005 \u2014 that\u2019s when it all started here, my love for New York with the victories here.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Swiss, who last played at the US Open in 2019, was greeted with applause as he entered the world's biggest tennis-only stadium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Federer won five straight US Opens from 2004-2008 and talked about the special connection he formed with the tournament and the city.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI fell in love with this city and this court from day one,\u201d Federer said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Swiss recalled his first appearance on the Arthur Ashe Stadium centre court, which came against Agassi in 2001. Federer lost that encounter in straight sets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI believe my first time on the center court was against Andre [in 2001]. He smashed me 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. I had no shot. I was like, \u2018Okay, not so easy, not so fast, Roger\u2019,\u201d he added with a laugh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was part of a star-studded nite celebrating the longstanding legacy of Federer in the sport. The stadium\u2019s video board showed a hype video narrated by actor Matthew McConaughey, and fashion icon Anna Wintour did the coin toss before Federer\u2019s singles match against Roddick. Several current and former tennis stars, including Serena Williams, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud and Alexandra Eala, were also in attendance. Federer\u2019s return to the US Open comes just days before another big milestone in his post-playing career. The Swiss, who celebrated his 45th birthday earlier this month, will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 29.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s gonna be an epic weekend for tennis in general. I\u2019m so happy that I\u2019m going to be up there [in Newport] for a couple days to witness it. And have fun, that would be my recommendation. I know he will.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Agassi, another of Federer's former rivals, also welcomed the Swiss' induction while joking about the longevity of his Grand Slam career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHow cool is it that this dude is going in the Hall of Fame this year? Well done, Roger. I\u2019m so pumped. I gotta say \u2014 I think I was the first person to know he was going to make the Hall of Fame. When he won his 19th Slam, I was like, \u2018Yeah, he\u2019s got this\u2019,\u201d Agassi said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI thought the 20th was unnecessary and a little bit on the insecure side,\u201d the American sarcastically joked. \u201cNevertheless, I\u2019m really pumped because it makes everybody else who\u2019s figured out how to barely get in feel a heck of a lot better about themselves.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHow cool is it that this dude is going in the Hall of Fame this year? Well done, Roger. I\u2019m so pumped. I gotta say \u2014 I think I was the first person to know he was going to make the Hall of Fame. When he won his 19th Slam, I was like, \u2018Yeah, he\u2019s got this\u2019,\u201d Agassi said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe obviously played a bunch and he beat me a bunch. But we were always able to navigate a friendship through the middle of our careers and that\u2019s lasted until now and hopefully will last forever,\u201d Roddick said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n