Federer, back at the US Open: "I would play against Alcaraz, we'll see how he feels, I don't have to worry"

At 45 years old Roger Federer has returned to the US Open. And he dressed in shorts and grabbed the racket. He has trained with the Italian Lorenzo Musettiwith whom he has the backhand parallel to one hand in common. A work session in Arthur Ashe Stadium in preparation for a night of legend.

Federer, who claims to have not played a singles match since losing to the Pole Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon 2021, he is preparing to be the protagonist this Tuesday in a match with the American Andy Roddickwhich will be followed by another doubles one, joined by the Americans Andre Agassi and John McEnroe.

It is an exhibition, a tribute before he enters the Hall of Fame, this week, in a ceremony that will take place at the headquarters of the Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport.

Roger Federer, at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York trainingSARAH YENESEL / EFE

Although, if he were given the choice to play one last professional match in the tournament, it is clear that he would choose the current US Open champion, the Spanish Carlos Alcaraz.

“Yes, maybe it would be with Carlos. I think it’s exciting. I never had the opportunity to play against him. Not even against Sinner. We only trained a little when they were starting,” says Federer, a five-time consecutive champion at Flushing Meadows, a haul that helped him reach 20 Grand Slams.

“I missed that generation, unfortunately, because of my knee problem,” it means. He lived the moment of the ‘Big 3’ with the Spanish Rafa Nadal and the Serbian Novak Djokovic. “It would also be great to have one last US Open match with him. He is still in top form. And if he continues it is because he feels he can win the tournament. I never rule him out, I have seen him do incredible things,” notes Federer.

FLUSHING MEADOWS (United States), 08/24/2026.- Swiss former tennis player Roger Federer gives a press conference at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 24 August 2026. Federer is set to play a Fan Week exhibition match on 25 August, his first competitive appearance at Arthur Ashe Stadium since 2019. (Tennis, New York) EFE/EPA/SARAH YENESEL — Roger Federer, that Monday at a press conference in New YorkSARAH YENESEL / EFE

Having another elite match is a dream. Impossible. Although it is also one less problem. “I don’t have to worry about how I should play against Carlos because I’m not in the draw,” he says smiling.

“Let’s see how he feels, but I wish him the best. It’s good that he’s back, that he arrived in time for the tournament,” comments a Federer who has always had words of praise for Alcaraz for his conduct and the fantasy of his tennis.

Both will be protagonists this Tuesday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Alcaraz competes again, in the mixed doubles with Serena Williams. And Federer has also decided to play tennis in front of an audience that is enjoying a ‘Fan Week’ full of stars.