Emotional Roger Federer Inducted Into International Tennis Hall of Fame

Roger Federer, speaking in Newport, Rhode Island, US, on August 29, 2026, described himself as 'incredibly lucky' to have competed alongside multiple generations of tennis players. An emotional Roger Federer stated that he is still writing his love letter to the sport that "meant the world" to him as the 20-time Grand Slam champion officially entered the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

Federer, inducted alongside broadcaster and journalist Mary Carillo on Saturday, looked back on his legendary career during a speech that moved him to tears on several occasions. “This is one of the greatest honours of my life,” Roger Federer said. “They call this the Hall of Fame, but fame was never the goal. My goal was to spend my life doing something I love … with people who love it as much as I do.”

The Swiss tennis star captured a men’s-record eight Wimbledon titles and held the world number one ranking for 310 weeks. His incredible resume also includes six Australian Open crowns, five US Open titles, and one French Open victory.

“Tennis meant the world to me. Not just playing, not just winning, but creating something new,” expressed Roger Federer, who retired in 2022 holding 103 ATP Tour titles. “It’s a mentality I have. I used to play serve and volley, I had a transition game, I played way beyond the baseline sometimes, or on top of the baseline. And I would even try to sneak up on my opponents on my return, and some call it the SABR [Sneak Attack by Roger] today.”

The 45-year-old became visibly emotional while expressing gratitude to his coaches, doctors, and family members, including his wife Mirka, who commended Roger Federer for his character off the court as a husband, father, and friend.

As his name was enshrined in the Hall of Fame, Roger Federer emphasized his pride in bringing Switzerland along with him, remembering his early days as a 13-year-old ball boy in Basel. “I’m still writing my love letter to tennis, and my time as a player is done, but tennis will always stand at the intersection of everything I care most about,” he stated. “My family, our friendships, the past 40 years, the future we’re building — tennis, for me, is responsible for it all. So this is not a goodbye.”

Reflecting on his era, the Swiss icon noted he was "incredibly lucky" to share the court with diverse generations of players, ranging from Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt to Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. He also encouraged looking forward to the future of the sport.

Longtime rival and friend Novak Djokovic was among the prominent tennis figures who sent congratulatory messages, praising Roger Federer as a magnificent ambassador for the sport. Earlier in the week, Roger Federer also stepped back onto the court at the US Open for a special exhibition event alongside Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, and Andre Agassi.