Tennis legend, Roger Federer was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, closing one of the most celebrated careers in modern tennis with an emotional ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island.
The Swiss great, 45, became a member of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 more than five years after playing the final singles match of his career. He was inducted in the Player Category alongside journalist and broadcaster Mary Carillo, who entered in the Contributor Category.
Federer struggled to hold back tears during his induction speech, joking that he might still be speaking when the sun came up because of the pauses he needed to compose himself.
He described the induction as “one of the greatest honours of my life” and used the occasion to reflect on the people who helped shape his career.
The ceremony brought together Federer’s family, former rivals and some of the figures who influenced his rise to the top of tennis. His wife, Mirka Federer, introduced him before he took the stage.
Federer’s place in the Hall of Fame was never in doubt. Over a 24-year career at the highest level, he won 103 ATP Tour titles, including 20 Grand Slam singles championships, and spent 310 weeks as world No. 1.
His 237 consecutive weeks at the top of the rankings from 2004 to 2008 remains a record. He also won 28 ATP Masters 1000 titles and finished his career with 1,251 tour-level match victories.
But Federer’s influence extended beyond his playing statistics.
His elegant, attacking style and composure on court helped make him one of the sport’s most recognisable figures, while his rivalry with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic became one of the defining chapters of men’s tennis.
Djokovic was among the former rivals to congratulate Federer on his induction, describing the honour as inevitable and saying Federer deserved it more than anyone. Other players, including Grigor Dimitrov, Gael Monfils, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev, also paid tribute to the Swiss during the celebrations.
Federer’s Hall of Fame election had been announced in November 2025. When he received the news, he was informed by fellow Hall of Famers Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, two players he had admired while growing up.
The induction came after a weekend of celebrations in Newport, including an exhibition appearance by Federer alongside other tennis legends.
For Federer, the ceremony marked a final transition from active champion to part of the sport’s history.
He left professional tennis after his final competitive appearance at the 2022 Laver Cup, but his presence around the sport has remained strong. His induction now places his name alongside the players whose careers helped define tennis across generations.
