Federer's return to New York is positioned as a triumphant celebration of tennis heritage, with the exhibition format allowing for a relaxed, fan-friendly atmosphere that contrasts his competitive retirement era.
Sources close to the event say the red carpet was deliberately curated to attract fashion media attention — Wintour's presence signals Vogue's continued investment in crossover celebrity sporting moments.
Event took place August 25, 2026 at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Red carpet featured Anna Wintour (Vogue Editor-in-Chief) and Savannah Guthrie (NBC News anchor) among confirmed attendees per Page Six reporting.
When Federer walks a red carpet, the fashion world pays attention — even in exhibition mode, his gravitational pull on A-listers remains unmatched.
Roger Federer made his triumphant return to New York City on Tuesday evening, and let's be clear: this wasn't just another exhibition match. This was a full-fledged celebrity event, complete with the kind of red carpet attendance that would make most film premieres jealous. The tennis icon — who officially hung up his racket in 2022 but clearly hasn't lost his star power — drew an impressive roster of fashion and media heavyweights to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for what sources are describing as a celebration of everything tennis represents in American culture.
Anna Wintour, never one to attend events casually, made her presence known on the carpet. The Vogue Editor-in-Chief has long been selective about her off-runway appearances, but Federer apparently occupies a special category. Her attendance alone signals how seriously the fashion establishment takes this moment — tennis has always occupied a unique space at the intersection of sport and style, and Wintour's appearance reinforces that positioning.
Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie brought her signature news anchor polish to the proceedings, proving that when you combine tennis royalty with television royalty, the result is the kind of crossover appeal networks dream about. The exhibition match format — a format Federer has embraced since retirement — allows for something his Grand Slam appearances never could: accessibility. Fans got to witness their idol in action without the pressure of a title on the line, and celebrities got to enjoy an evening out that felt more like a curated experience than a sporting event.
This deliberate programming choice reflects how Federer has navigated post-retirement life with the same strategic precision he brought to his career on court. What's worth noting from a fashion perspective is how this event continues tennis's remarkable run as the sport of choice for high society. While other athletic pursuits struggle to attract crossover celebrity, Federer's exhibition matches consistently draw the kind of crowd that makes social media light up.
The kids running onto the court in Getty Images photographs capture something essential: the generational appeal that few athletes achieve. When Anna Wintour and Savannah Guthrie share a red carpet with tennis's most elegant champion, you're not just watching sport — you're witnessing cultural alignment.
