Roger Federer thrilled with support for Laver Cup and wishes he could play at Chase Center

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Roger Federer threw in a few trick serves and several between-the-legs shots to dazzle some young players who were giddy to get a few minutes hitting with the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

In town for the Laver Cup this weekend at Chase Center that he supports and promotes, Federer took part in an unveiling of six renovated courts at John McLaren Park in southeastern San Francisco for the event's Community Legacy Project that's done at each stop.

He grunted and grinned while strategizing alongside Yannick Noah, who will be captain of Team Europe for the tennis showcase.

Federer had a blast rallying with the kids Tuesday afternoon and part of him wants to be playing here, in a city he wishes he'd visited more during his career. Federer signed autographs and obliged fans with selfies. He even hit a few balls with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.

“Coming out to a public park like this and spending time with kids and inspire them and talk tennis and see what good we've done with the Laver Cup coming here,” the 44-year-old Swiss star said. “So I'm very happy that we're finally here and that I'm back. I had a great time last time in March, you guys were super friendly to me. So I'm happy to be here again.”

Federer, who retired three years ago at age 41, caught his first glimpse of the unique black court at the Golden State Warriors’ arena and was itching to get out there.

“I looked really special,” Federer said. “I feel very, sad is not the word, but I'm missing out that I can't play, because this is a venue I would have loved to play. And I had a chat with Tim Henman at the hotel later on and said, ‘This would be an amazing place to play tennis.’ So I will miss that, but I will enjoy it as a fan.”

While Casper Ruud and others have already trained on the court, a formal practice day to give fans their first glimpse of the greats is scheduled for Thursday.

Patrick Rafter can't wait to see the support in an arena where Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is typically the main attraction. Rafter is an assistant captain for Team World, working with captain Andre Agassi.

“They're massive names around the world, and Stephen Curry being one of the main men,” Rafter said. “So, yeah, hopefully we'll get to meet them all, hang out or something. Here we are in this amazing venue. I didn't realize it sat that many people — 18,000 people, it's massive. Being in here and playing tennis, it's going to be great to sit back and watch them do it all. Just watching some of the guys warm up, it's a pretty awesome setting.”

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Co-creator of the Laver Cup Roger Federer, left, greets San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie after hitting tennis balls during a court unveiling at John McLaren Park Tennis Courts before the Laver Cup tennis matches in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Team Europe captain Yannick Noah, midde left, and co-creator of the Laver Cup Roger Federer react while hitting tennis balls to local youth tennis players during a court unveiling at John McLaren Park Tennis Courts before the Laver Cup tennis matches in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Co-creator of the Laver Cup Roger Federer, right, shakes hands with local youth tennis players after hitting tennis balls during a court unveiling at John McLaren Park Tennis Courts before the Laver Cup tennis matches in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Co-creator of the Laver Cup Roger Federer, middle right, hits tennis balls to local youth tennis players during a court unveiling at John McLaren Park Tennis Courts before the Laver Cup tennis matches in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Co-creator of the Laver Cup Roger Federer reacts after Team Europe captain Yannick Noah missed a shot while hitting tennis balls to local youth tennis players during a court unveiling at John McLaren Park Tennis Courts before the Laver Cup tennis matches in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Co-creator of the Laver Cup Roger Federer, middle, signs autographs after hitting tennis balls to local youth tennis players during a court unveiling at John McLaren Park Tennis Courts before the Laver Cup tennis matches in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Co-creator of the Laver Cup Roger Federer hits tennis balls to local youth tennis players during a court unveiling at John McLaren Park Tennis Courts before the Laver Cup tennis matches in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

CHICAGO (AP) — Connor Bedard is back. The rest of the Chicago Blackhawks, well, that's a day-to-day situation at the moment.

Bedard played Friday night against Washington in his first game since he hurt his right shoulder on a draw during a 3-2 loss at St. Louis on Dec. 12. But the Blackhawks were hit hard by an illness that swept through their locker room, leaving them without their top two goaltenders.

The 20-year-old Bedard recorded four shots on goal while skating for more than 17 minutes in a 5-1 loss to the Capitals. He didn't take any faceoffs, and coach Jeff Blashill said that is the plan for the foreseeable future.

“I thought he played solid," Blashill said. "I thought he got better as the game went along, which is probably to be expected. I think part of it is trying to feel out what's going to hurt and what's not. So I know he felt probably more comfortable at the end than he did at the beginning.”

Bedard ranked among the NHL leaders with 19 goals and 25 assists at the time of the injury. The Blackhawks went 5-6-1 while he was out.

The No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft got a big ovation from the United Center crowd when he was announced with the starting lineup.

“I felt fine,” Bedard said. “I think it was kind of one of those games where the puck was kind of bouncing around a little bit, tough to get a lot of crisp pucks."

Bedard returned at an opportune time for a team that had to scramble to fill out their lineup for the matchup with the Capitals.

Goaltenders Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom, along with forward Ilya Mikheyev, defenseman Louis Crevier and forward Sam Lafferty, were scratched. Blashill missed the morning skate, but he was behind the bench for the game.

Bedard was activated from injured reserve, and defenseman Kevin Korchinski and goaltender Drew Commesso were recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League. Commesso made 19 saves in his second career NHL start, while Dave Nozzolillo served as his emergency backup. Korchinski, the No. 7 pick in the 2022 draft, skated for almost 14 minutes in his first game with Chicago since April 15.

The Blackhawks play again on Saturday night in Nashville.

“I do not know how I am going to deal with the goalies for tomorrow,” he said. “I don't know for sure who's available to me yet.”

Bedard and fellow center Frank Nazar were shelved during a stretch of 10 losses in 12 games for Chicago. But the Blackhawks had won a season-high four in a row before the loss to the Capitals.

Nazar, who turns 22 on Wednesday, is skating again, but there has been no word on when he might return to the lineup. He was hit in the face by a puck during a 6-4 loss at Ottawa on Dec. 20.

Bedard also missed part of his rookie season with a broken jaw, but he played in all 82 games last year.

“No one wants to have anything happen, but it's part of the game,” Bedard said after Friday's morning skate. “You just got to try to take that time to get better.”

Bedard's fast start moved him into contention for a spot on Team Canada for the Winter Olympics. But he was left off the roster when it was announced last week.

Bedard still could make the trip to Italy if he is needed as an injury replacement.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/NHL

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard attends warmups before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Hockey fans hold a sign as Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)