'Fed' likes idea of roof, but not chat

Roger Federer is all in favor of the roof which will tower over the cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium at next year's US Open - just don't ask him to discuss it mid-match.

The five-time US Open champion believes the retractable roof may play into the hands of the top players as it eliminates the effect of outside factors, the tournament falls in line with the Australian Open and Wimbledon with a covered showpiece arena.

"I like the feeling of these big center courts with the roof on. We're used to it at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, Shanghai, other places," Federer said.