The Swiss player was inducted with 100% of the votes in his first year of eligibility and starred in a ceremony marked by emotion and memories
He also had words for Severin Lüthi, who accompanied him as a coach for 18 years and played a central role in his professional development. "He was the coach I had the longest; he kept me motivated when I needed it and protected me when I needed to be protected", he noted.
Tennis awarded a new distinction to Roger Federer, although this time there were no titles at stake or a racket involved. In Newport, Rhode Island, the former world number one was formally inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and turned the ceremony into a journey through his life, his career, and especially the people who accompanied him to the top.
"His Majesty" was elected with 100% of the votes in his first year of eligibility and received the recognition after a career that included 20 Grand Slam titles and 103 ATP trophies. However, instead of focusing solely on his achievements, he chose to talk about the people and experiences that shaped his path.
One of the first memories he brought to the stage was from his beginnings in Basel. Federer recalled when, at just 13 years old, he still did not dream of becoming a legend and worked as a ball boy. "At 13, I wasn't playing, I was a ball boy. I will never forget how I saw the players struggle against adversity. I thank all the ball boys; I was like you", he expressed to the audience's applause.
The most emotional part of his speech came when he spoke about Mirka Vavrinec, his wife and partner throughout most of his career. Federer described her as a figure much more important than just a partner: "She is my wife, but that falls short: she is my coach, my stylist, the person who taught me to be more focused on tennis and enjoy everything else. She is a great mother. She and I shake hands and break through walls. She is all of this".
The former world number one also did not leave out the great figures who marked different stages of his career. He mentioned Martina Navratilova and Martina Hingis as references and reviewed the generations he went through during his years on the circuit, from Pete Sampras to the historic rivalries with Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray.
However, the memory of his adversaries was not limited to the sporting aspect. Federer especially highlighted the camaraderie built within the circuit and how many of those rivals ended up becoming friends. Although his playing days are behind him, he assured that tennis continues to occupy a central place in his life.
With the emotion still present, Federer reserved his last words for the future of the sport that marked his life. Far from talking about his personal legacy, he preferred to emphasize those who will continue the story of tennis. "We leave the court, but the sport goes on. I hope the players maintain that camaraderie, stay true to their identity, take risks, and continue to improve tennis", he concluded.
