‘Tennis misses this man every day’: America loses it for Roger Federer at US Open

Roger Federer has sent the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium into hysterics, proving the tennis legend is as popular as ever.

Roger Federer continues to prove he is the people’s champion, stealing the show at the US Open from the comfort of the stands.

As one of the Big Three, Federer is always in the debate for the men’s tennis GOAT despite his 20 grand slam titles being left in the dust by Rafael Nadal’s 22 titles and Novak Djokovic’s 24.

But despite being retired for two years, the 43-year-old is as popular as ever.

Federer hadn’t been to the US Open since he last played it in 2019, where he was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Grigor Dimitrov.

Covid then ensured Federer hadn’t been back to the US Open after playing his final singles tournament at Wimbledon in 2021 and then his official retirement at the 2022 Laver Cup.

While he hasn’t been back in five years, Federer, who won all five of his US Open titles in consecutive years between 2004 and 2008, was given an incredible reception when the camera caught him in the stands early in the second set of Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng’s quarterfinal.

“We went to Wimbledon this year and I’ll go to the Open actually tonight,” Federer said in an interview.

“I haven’t been back at the Open since I retired. So it’s going to be also I’m sure nice to be in Ashe, you know, watching tennis from the sidelines this time. It’s the first time I would ever do that.”

The fans wouldn’t stop until he stood up. Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Sharing a box with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and British tennis great Tim Henman, Federer waved at fans from his seat before standing up and thanking the crowd for their reception.

Watch the video in the player above.

Former Aussie world No. 4 Jelena Dokic said Federer being in the crowd could add pressure on the court.

“Some players have said when they see someone like Roger, that they can get very nervous, it’s hard to play,” Dokic said on Nine’s coverage.

“I know I would be but the standing ovation for Roger Federer – he even had to get up for that one. Amazing.”

The Tennis Letter account on X tweeted: “His first time back here since 2019, and he’s greeted with so much love. Tennis misses this man every day.”

Tennis reporter Jose Morgado wrote: “Roger Federer receives of the loudest cheers of the tournament on Ashe.”

Federer with Tim Henman. Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP

While some players could be overawed, Sabalenka was not one of those players as she demolished Zheng 6-1 6-2 to return to the US Open semi-finals where she’ll play 13th seed American Emma Navarro.

“I saw him there on the big screen,” Sabalenka said of Federer after the match.

“I was like ‘okay, I have to play my best tennis so he enjoys it. I have to show my skills, you know, slice skills, come to the net and all that stuff’.”

Sabalenka, the 2023 US Open runner up, was also aware that the New York crowd would be right behind Navarro in the semi and did her best to bribe the crowd to throw their support behind her.

“The drinks are on me if you cheer for me,” Sabalenka said.

Buying New York’s love could get expensive. Photo by KENA BETANCUR / AFP

Similarly, US hope Frances Tiafoe acknowledged Federer’s appearance, but it wasn’t the only star that caught his eye.

“That was pretty sick,” Tiafoe said when asked about Federer. “Obviously, I wasn’t thinking about it that much.

“(I was) more pumped about Kevin Hart instead of Roger, honestly.

“The past couple of years at Laver Cup you kind of get used to that, seeing him (Federer) in the stands.

“But this dude was different, winning five years in a row. The way he looked in the suit is the same way he looked when he was playing. No sweat. You know, tees ironed perfect.

“What’s up with this dude, man? Hair perfect. It was just funny, man … What a guy. What a legend. So nice he’s enjoying his life.

“Doing his thing, just popping in wherever he kind of wants to and everyone embraces him. Unbelievable, wherever he goes. I mean, he’s such an icon. Ultimately it was pretty dope.

“But seeing Kevin Hart was sick.”

Tiafoe walkover win against Dimitrov despite leading two sets to one and 4-1 in the fourth as he sets up a semi-final clash with Taylor Fritz.

It means America will have a men’s representative in the US Open final for the first time in 18 years.

Originally published as ‘Tennis misses this man every day’: America loses it for Roger Federer at US Open