Roger Federer recently revealed that he thinks Serena Williams would have snubbed him in a hypothetical US Open mixed doubles scenario. The 20-time Grand Slam champion stated that Williams would likely have paired up with a fellow American if the current US Open mixed doubles format existed a few years ago.
Federer is currently gearing up to make his return to the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium after six years for an exhibition match. The Swiss star will be in action on Tuesday, August 25, sharing the court with Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and John McEnroe. As he prepares for the event, the 45-year-old was asked in a press conference if he would have competed in the US Open mixed doubles had the current format of the tournament existed when he was on the Tour. Federer replied in the affirmative, and stated that he would have likely paired up with Martina Hingis or Belinda Bencic for the event.
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Reacting to his answer, a reporter asked Roger Federer if he would have considered teaming up with Serena Williams, to which the former World No.1 responded,
“It would have been very cool, but I think she would have been booked up with Roddick or someone, you know. I don’t think I would have…they’re too close. So maybe, I mean, I would have been totally okay and open to that. But yeah, that’s why I didn’t mention her, because I felt like she had enough Americans to deal with, you know, before getting to me.”
Williams is herself gearing up to compete in the mixed doubles and women’s doubles events at the 2026 US Open. The American has partnered up with Carlos Alcaraz and Venus Williams for the two events respectively.
Roger Federer weighs in on US Open mixed doubles format
During the aforementioned press conference, Roger Federer was also asked about his thoughts on the format of the mixed doubles event at the US Open. The Swiss star stated that he enjoyed seeing top singles stars put themselves in unfamiliar conditions, saying,
“I mean it’s a cool concept. I like when top singles guys put themselves out there and play doubles. That was also the idea of the Laver Cup, you know, to get guys together to match up that normally don’t. And also see the top guys struggle, to be honest. You know, it’s not simple, those doubles or mixed doubles, especially when you’re not used to it. So it’s kind of a cool concept. I like it.”
Over the course of his career, Roger Federer competed in the men’s doubles event a handful of times, and delivered several impressive results. The highlight of his doubles career includes a gold medal finish at the 2008 Olympics alongside compatriot Stan Wawrinka.
Edited by Riddhi Acharya
