RismadarVoice Reporters, August 30, 2026
Roger Federer reflected on his remarkable tennis journey with emotion and gratitude as the 20-time Grand Slam champion was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.
Federer, who was honoured alongside broadcaster and journalist Mary Carillo, described the recognition as one of the greatest honours of his life, while saying his career was built around his love for the sport rather than fame.
“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,” Federer said during his induction speech.
The Swiss tennis icon, who retired in 2022 after winning 103 ATP Tour titles, enjoyed one of the most successful careers in the history of the sport. He won a record eight Wimbledon titles, six Australian Open crowns, five US Open trophies and one French Open title, while spending 310 weeks as world number one.
Federer became emotional while thanking his coaches, medical team and family, including his wife Mirka, for their support throughout his career.
He also reflected on his unique playing style, which included his famous serve-and-volley approach, attacking returns and the tactic known as “SABR” — Sneak Attack by Roger.
“Tennis meant the world to me. Not just playing, not just winning, but creating something new,” Federer said.
The 45-year-old said his induction represented not only a celebration of his past achievements but also an opportunity to look ahead at the future of tennis.
Federer expressed hope that the sport would continue to grow globally while maintaining the values of friendship, curiosity and respect among players.
“We all leave the court eventually, but the sport keeps evolving. I hope players stay young at heart, remain true to themselves, never stop asking questions and continue pushing the game forward,” he said.
The former world number one also paid tribute to the generations of players he competed against, including Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Federer said he felt fortunate to have shared an era with some of tennis’ greatest names and described his relationship with the sport as an ongoing journey.
“I’m still writing my love letter to tennis. My time as a player is done, but tennis will always stand at the centre of everything I care about. This is not a goodbye,” he said.
The induction officially added Federer’s name to the list of tennis legends recognised by the International Tennis Hall of Fame, celebrating a career defined by records, sportsmanship and global influence.
