NEWPORT, R.I. — Roger Federer grew emotional throughout his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, pausing several times during a nearly 30-minute speech to collect himself as he reflected on his career and those who helped shape it.
As the sun set over the grass horseshoe court at the Hall’s entrance, the 45-year-old walked to the stage in a tan suit after being introduced by his wife, Mirka. He kissed and hugged her, then acknowledged the moment’s weight. “Oh man,” he began, calling the address “very high level and a tough act to follow,” before lightly teasing that she might have been secretly practicing her remarks.
The ceremony, which opened with a red-carpet procession on center court, also honored Mary Carillo, a former player and acclaimed broadcaster, who was presented by Hall of Famer Billie Jean King.
International Tennis Hall of Fame ceremony highlights
Federer, often dubbed the Swiss Maestro, admitted he felt “a little stressed” as he greeted fans during the first-ever red carpet before the induction. On stage, he was visibly moved when recalling his childhood idol, Stefan Edberg, noting they were “happy tears.”
He teared up again while thanking longtime coach Severin Luthi, then paused before addressing Mirka’s influence on his journey. “Now the Mirka part,” he said, before emotion overtook him. “Oh gosh, this is such a mess.” He tried to lighten the mood, telling the crowd he needed “tissues and sunglasses” as he fought back tears.
Federer concluded by expressing gratitude to ball kids and urging today’s players to continue elevating the sport. His résumé includes a then-record 20 Grand Slam singles titles, highlighted by eight Wimbledon crowns, six Australian Open titles, five straight U.S. Open championships from 2004 to 2008, and the 2009 French Open that completed his career Grand Slam.
He held the ATP world No. 1 ranking for a record 237 consecutive weeks.
“I’m thrilled to have made the journey here,” he said. “It’s amazing to see yourself in a place like this. To immerse yourself in the history of the sport means a lot to me.”
Carillo, inducted as a contributor and already a member of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, was lauded by King, who said, “She has earned her spot in sports journalism and she has earned her spot in Newport.”
Standing before a group of Hall of Famers, Carillo, 69, said, “To walk through these gates here in the company of you people, that was beyond my dreams.”
The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport has long been a focal point for honoring the sport’s greatest champions and contributors.
King, a pioneering advocate for gender equality in sports, has also been a central figure in legal and policy debates over fairness in athletics, an issue that has reached as high as the Supreme Court in recent years.