Roger Federer heads to the Tennis Hall of Fame, says he ‘had the best time’ during his career

Roger Federer cherished to win, after all, and on the peak of his profession nearly all the time did.

All these victories and trophies he piled up alone would have made Federer remembered eternally in tennis, however they had been solely a part of the rationale he loved taking part in. He appreciated travelling to tournaments, assembly folks and making new associates, whether or not they had been on the opposite aspect of the web or sitting within the stands.

Solely after he completed competing did Federer notice how a lot that impacted his legacy within the sport.

“I feel once you retire, I feel I stated it earlier than, that there was a number of discuss additionally about possibly my persona and what I dropped at the sport total after I wasn’t on courtroom, which I used to be slightly shocked,” Federer stated. “I assumed it was about, within the second, forehands and backhands and saving break factors and victories and all that stuff.

“However truly it turns into slightly bit, not irrelevant ultimately, but it surely’s about what you had been remembered for, how did you behave within the locker rooms or within the corridors or possibly with the media, or with the event administrators, the ball youngsters.” Federer can have an opportunity to mirror again on all of it on Saturday (August 28, 2026) when he’s enshrined within the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

The 45-year-old from Switzerland, who might be honored together with broadcaster and former participant Mary Carillo, stated it could be his first journey to Newport. That appeared shocking, given what number of locations he is gone for his tennis.

Certain, there was common stops equivalent to New York and London and Paris for Grand Slam tournaments, however there have been additionally cities like Cape City, South Africa, for an exhibition match in opposition to Rafael Nadal that drew almost 52,000 followers; or Mexico Metropolis, for one in opposition to Alexander Zverev that drew greater than 42,000.

These had been close to the tip of his profession, when Federer was compelled to restrict his schedule for well being causes. He hated having to take action, as a result of he appreciated going too many locations, even ones that did not host the largest occasions.

“For me, if I look again, that is type of what I am very joyful about, that I went by means of 25 years on tour, and truly felt like I made a number of associates and lots of people miss me,” Federer stated.

“Identical with followers. They arrive as much as me and say, What a disgrace you are not taking part in anymore.’ “Then I get a flashback saying it was an incredible time, and I say it each time. I cherished it, and it is a disgrace I am unable to be on the tour anymore. However it was an amazing, nice time and I miss it dearly.”

The followers clearly miss Federer. When he returned to the U.S. Open this week for an exhibition, his first time taking part in in Flushing Meadows since 2019, the strains of followers ready to get into Arthur Ashe Stadium resembled an evening within the second week of the event, not properly earlier than it even started.

Federer gained 5 straight U.S. Open titles from 2004-08, throughout a stretch when he compiled a 247-15 report from 2004-06 and reached a report 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals from 2005-07, successful eight. He went on to win 1,251 matches and 103 tournaments, together with 20 Grand Slams.

“He is one of the best I’ve ever performed in opposition to,” Andre Agassi, Federer’s opponent within the 2005 last, stated in a video the U.S. Open confirmed earlier than Federer took the courtroom on Tuesday (August 25, 2026).

The way in which he gained, with much more aptitude than some stuffy champions of the previous however with out the mood tantrums of others, earned him accolades that his expertise alone could not. He gained the ATP Tour’s sportsmanship award yearly from 2004-09, and once more from 2011-17, and the fan favourite award yearly from 2003-21. These got here whereas incomes prize cash of almost $130.6 million.

Federer hits typically together with his kids — he and spouse Mirka are mother and father of two units of twins — and tries to attend just a few occasions a 12 months to maintain him related to the game.

“I am in a really comfy place immediately, however I am nonetheless joyful to be on the market and being within the tennis world occasionally, as a result of it’s the glue to the whole lot that surrounds me nonetheless immediately,” Federer stated.

“I had one of the best time, had a number of associates on tour, from gamers to individuals who had been organisers, et cetera. So I hope that a number of the gamers who retire additionally really feel the identical approach in regards to the sport, as a result of I care dearly.”

Revealed – August 29, 2026 05:44 am IST