Roger Federer's Last Great Night in New York

Carlos Navarro - 26 Aug 2026 | 03:39
Roger Federer Andre Agassi Andy Roddick John McEnroe US Open 2026

The Swiss player took a bath in the crowd and showcased what he is still capable of: winning backhands, a serve recital, and magic everywhere in the Arthur Ashe.

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Roger Federer's Last Great Night, a Spectacle.

This afternoon, there was some supposed information about Fabio Fognini, in statements to Sky Sports, in which he claimed that, after talking with Simone Tartarini (the coach of Lorenzo Musetti), he mentioned that Roger Federer could still win against a good part of the ATP circuit with his current level. The Swiss player is now 44 years old, and he chose Lolo as his dance partner to prepare for his big night. The event led by the Swiss, in his first appearance at Arthur Ashe after being unable to say goodbye in his last years as a professional, was a resounding success... and made those present reflect, if only for a moment, that perhaps those words hold some truth.

Don't count me in on that boat: the circuit has changed and evolved tremendously, especially in terms of physicality and power. None of that prevents us from pointing out that the image Roger Federer left tonight was as iconic as we remembered. A bit more heaviness in some movements, yes... but impeccable, delightful tennis, a caress to the soul that asks for more and takes us back to times when we were very happy.

Federer won his singles and doubles matches and delivered some impossible shots

The audience at Arthur Ashe made the most of their ticket during a hour and a half of tennis turned into a museum of the history of this sport. Roger chose Andy Roddick as his opponent and, as if we had turned the clock back 20 years, the result (and even the script) was as often repeated: victory by 6-3 for the Swiss, with a thousand resources to dismantle A-Rod's rockets.

By the way, the guy from Nebraska still often manages to exceed 200 km/h with his first serves. Just that deserves praise and shows the natural talent of a guy who didn’t always receive the affection he deserved. In everything else, though, Federer was the star... and even in that same department: nine aces in nine games, with a varied catalog that delighted the audience. Wide cuts, flat serves to the T, body serves... a serve is not just speed, and Roger proved it once again.

Perhaps what stood out the most was the state of his backhand. Roger flew on that side, enjoying the luxury of hitting several winning shots for which a good part of the current circuit would surely pay to have. Backhands on the fly, impossible wrist accelerations, down-the-line shots... even Andy was astonished: how can this guy still be flowing like this, with such naturalness, despite not having touched a racket for several years?

The night concluded with a doubles match full of festive ambiance, a celebration in which a lively John McEnroe joined the party. The last to join was Andre Agassi, somewhat overwhelmed by the rhythm in the return, but he managed to do it, leaving one of the match points in the form of a suspended backhand that immediately lifted the audience from their seats. Above all, the feeling was one of going back in time... and the surprise, even, of seeing Roger in such good shape, executing some of his great classics with such ease, as if the years had not passed. An exhibition turned into Roger Federer's last great night in New York, just for exquisite palates.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La última gran noche de Roger Federer en Nueva York