Roger Federer is present at this US Open 2024, although in a different way than we were used to. The five-time winner of the American Grand Slam was enjoying the night session in New York as a spectator of the match between Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng. During one of the breaks, The organization took the opportunity to introduce him to the audience, which responded with huge applause towards the Swiss. Federer, who retired from the sport in September 2022, was at Flushing Meadows for the evening session of the day at the US Open featuring a women's singles quarter-final between Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen and a men's singles quarter-final between Grigor Dimitrov and Frances Tiafoe.
Federer was at the season-ending Grand Slam after appearing on the Today show where he spoke about the doping-related controversy around Italian World No.1 Jannik Sinner. He received a warm ovation from spectators in Arthur Ashe Stadium when he was introduced to the crowd during the second set of the US Open quarterfinal between Sabalenka and Zheng.
The presence of Federer in the audience only added to the excitement, as fans at the Arthur Ashe Stadium reveled in the opportunity to see a legend of the sport alongside the current stars. This was the first time that the 20-time Grand Slam champion visited the venue since he hung up his boots. Federer announced his retirement in 2022; he played his last official match at Wimbledon the year before.
Federer said that inconsistency in handing out doping punishments seems to be an issue of concern as he voiced his opinion on the doping controversy around Sinner. The Italian away without a ban despiting testing positive twice for the banned substance clostebol.
Among the most common criticism directed at the authorities over the situation is that Sinner was allowed to play in competitions despite being under trial. Sinner's coach Darren Cahill highlighted the disparity in resources available to top-ranked players like Sinner compared to lower-ranked athletes, noting that Sinner's team was able to afford expert legal representation and scientific analysis to support his case.
Federer, who won 20 Grand Slams in a glittering career, also addressed the concerns about the fairness of the process. "I understand the frustration of, 'Has he been treated the same as others? And I think this is where it comes down to. I think we all trust pretty much that Jannik didn’t do anything, but the inconsistency potentially that he didn’t have to sit out while they weren’t 100 percent sure what was going on, I think that’s the question here that needs to be answered. But look, it is what it is, and we need to trust the process as well of anyone involved here," he said.
On September 3, the Arthur Ashe Stadium came alive with loud cheers and ovations as Roger Federer made a celebrated return to the US Open stage. The tennis legend, who retired in 2022, attended the quarter-final clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng, marking his first visit to the iconic venue since he bid farewell to professional tennis.
Federer’s presence at the stadium, where he claimed five of his 20 Grand Slam titles, was a moment of nostalgia for fans and players alike. The Swiss maestro, known for his grace and dominance on the court, was warmly welcomed back by the crowd, who were thrilled to see him at the tournament once again. Federer was also seen having a chat with NBA star Steph Curry in the stands, adding a touch of star power to the already electric atmosphere.
The match that Federer attended saw Aryna Sabalenka continuing her remarkable run at the US Open. She clinched her record-equalling fourth consecutive semi-final appearance at the tournament by defeating Qinwen Zheng with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory. This feat makes Sabalenka the first woman since Serena Williams to reach four straight US Open semi-finals, a testament to her consistency and prowess at this prestigious event.
Federer’s return to the US Open stage served as a reminder of the legacy he left behind and the deep connection he has with this historic venue.
The American, who is No. 16 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, revealed it has been a dream since they were teenagers for himself, Fritz and World No. 14 Tommy Paul to go deep at majors and compete for the biggest titles in the sport.
"I think we all been knocking on the door. Taylor's been in and out of Top 10. Myself, I was Top 10 this time last year. Tommy is knocking on the door of quarters, playing great. Ben too. It's only a matter of time," Tiafoe said. "You put yourself in positions, it's only a matter of matter of time and the game is open. It's not like it once was where you make quarter-finals, you play Rafa, and you're looking at flights.
"I mean, that's just the reality. Now it's just totally different and no one's unbeatable. Especially later in the season when guys are maybe a little bit cooked. Maybe just not as fresh and they're vulnerable. It's pretty exciting. First time since '09 [for an American Slam finalist]. Hopefully it's me."
