Tennis is constantly changing, with the sport completely different since Roger Federer retired from the sport.
Federer retired at the Laver Cup in 2022, as one of the most successful and popular players in the history of the sport.
The Swiss also had a lot of success in New York, with Federer winning five US Open titles in a row between 2004 and 2008.
Federer played at the US Open for a final time in 2019, with players very different from how he was on tour.
Eric Butorac explains how players have changed since Roger Federer retired
Eric Butorac is a former Grand Slam finalist doubles player, but since 2016 has been a director of player relations at the US Open.
When speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, Butorac was asked if modern day players get fed up with producing social media content for the tournament.
Butorac claimed that players these days are so used to doing this, whereas it may have been more challenging to get someone like Federer to do so when he was playing.
“They are so used to it [creating content],” said Butorac. “They are content producers all year long. I think they realise, and their agents definitely tell me, that the weeks at the US Open are so valuable. If they put out great content and if they have great results, what that can do for your sponsorships and your earning power, it’s such a valuable week. So I do think they are pretty engaged while they are here.
“It’s a different generation to Roger. When Roger was here we used to close Arthur Ashe stadium for practice all fan week. He would practice in a closed environment. One time we would ask him could you play on Grandstand in front of the fans, and that would be a big ask of Roger.
“Now we just open the gates and Carlos [Alcaraz] plays in front of 15000 people for every practice. To him that is normal. So a lot of things just change over time and as you push a little bit you have to let some people graduate out and as the new generation comes in they get used to a new normal.”
What is US Open Fan Week?
As mentioned by Butorac, the US Open Fan Week began back in 2017 and is now a huge part of the tournament every year.
Taking place before the main singles draw gets underway, the US Open Fan Week invites spectators in free of charge to watch qualifying matches and take part in a host of fun activities.
There is a difference at the US Open Fan Week in 2025, as the new revamped mixed doubles draw will take place.
While this is not free of charge, the blockbuster lineup of mixed doubles matches at the US Open is likely to attract many fans.
The US Open mixed doubles event gets underway on Tuesday, August 19, with the champions being crowned on Wednesday, August 20.
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