An emotional Roger Federer stated he was nonetheless writing his love letter to the game that “meant the world” to him on Saturday (August 29, 2026) because the 20-time Grand Slam champion was inducted into the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.
Federer, who was inducted alongside broadcaster and journalist Mary Carillo, mirrored on his storied profession in a speech that introduced him to tears a couple of instances.
“This is without doubt one of the biggest honours of my life,” stated Federer. “They name this the Corridor of Fame, however fame was by no means the purpose.
“My purpose was to spend my life doing one thing I like … with individuals who adore it as a lot as I do.”
The Swiss captured a males’s-record eight Wimbledon titles and spent 310 weeks because the world primary. He additionally received six Australian Open crowns, 5 U.S. Open titles and one French Open title.
And he did all of it whereas taking part in with class, a signature headband — apparently sporting greater than 5,000 of them throughout his profession, he quipped in his handle — and nearly all the time two pairs of socks.
“Tennis meant the world to me. Not simply taking part in, not simply successful, however creating one thing new,” stated Federer, who retired in 2022 with 103 ATP Tour titles.
“It is a mentality I’ve. I used to play serve and volley, I had a transition sport, I performed means past the baseline generally, or on high of the baseline. And I might even attempt to sneak up on my opponents on my return, and a few name it the SABR (Sneak Assault by Roger) immediately.
“That is what was essential to me on the court docket, however so a lot of what was actually essential occurred off the court docket.”
The 45-year-old obtained emotional whereas thanking his coaches, medical doctors and household, together with spouse Mirka, who praised Federer for his character off the court docket as husband, father and good friend.
As his identify entered the Corridor of Fame, Federer stated he was proud that Switzerland was coming with him, recalling how he cherished watching tennis as a 13-year-old ball boy in Basel.
“I am nonetheless writing my love letter to tennis, and my time as a participant is completed, however tennis will all the time stand on the intersection of all the things I care most about,” he stated.
“My household, our friendships, the previous 40 years, the longer term we’re constructing — tennis, for me, is accountable for all of it. So this isn’t a goodbye.”
The Swiss stated he was “extremely fortunate” to have performed with completely different generations of tennis gamers, from Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt to Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
However he added that his induction was not solely a chance to look again on his profession, but additionally forward to the way forward for the sport.
“All of us go away the court docket finally, however the sport retains evolving,” stated Federer. “And because the tempo {of professional} tennis hurries up, as the game turns into much more international, I so hope it should maintain a few of that novice spirit. Hold the camaraderie among the many gamers.
“I hope the gamers will keep younger at coronary heart and keep true to their genuine selves, and all the time bear in mind, by no means cease asking questions or taking dangers.
“Do issues with the sport, we have by no means seen earlier than. Hold pushing this sport we like to the subsequent stage and maintain getting higher, higher, and higher.”
Printed – August 30, 2026 09:16 am IST
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