Roger Federer Inducted Into Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport

The Enshrinement in Newport

Roger Federer, the retired Swiss tennis player who won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. The Boston Globe reported that the ceremony took place on Saturday evening on the venue's horseshoe grass court, in front of a packed house and an overflow crowd.

Federer, who is known for his calm on-court demeanor, paused repeatedly and fought back tears during his speech, according to the Globe. He was introduced by his wife, Mirka, who told the crowd that when the couple met at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Federer had not yet won a single ATP title.

Mary Carillo, a broadcaster, was inducted at the same ceremony. The Boston Globe does not detail her remarks.

A Career in Numbers

Federer, 45, retired in 2022 after a career of two decades. The Athletic reports he won 103 singles titles and a record eight Wimbledon trophies, and was once the world's top ranked player.

His 20 Grand Slam singles titles rank behind only Novak Djokovic, who has 24, and his longtime rival Rafael Nadal, who has 22, the Boston Globe noted. Federer spent 310 weeks at world No. 1, including a record 237 consecutive weeks.

He is one of nine men to complete a career Grand Slam, meaning victory at the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, and one of only four to do so across hardcourt, grass and clay. He won Wimbledon every year from 2003 to 2007 and the US Open from 2004 to 2008, and between 2005 and 2010 he reached 18 of 19 Grand Slam finals.

The Ball Boy and the Wooden Racket

Federer grew up in Switzerland and worked as a ball boy at 13 at the Swiss Indoor championships. He told the crowd he will always see the game through that boy's eyes, recalling standing close to the players, handing them towels and watching them fight through matches.

He learned to play using his father's heavy wooden racket, which forced him to hit both forehands and backhands with two hands. He later became known for a one-handed backhand and a powerful forehand, and asked the audience whether any single-handed players were left.

In his speech he thanked what he called the ecosystem of tennis, including ball kids, coaches, linesmen and his opponents.

Two Days of Fans

The Hall of Fame staged events across Friday and Saturday, including an exhibition, The Athletic reported. Thousands gathered, four years after Federer left the sport.

Jeff and Betsy Brenner, Newport locals who have attended inductions for years, told The Athletic this was the biggest one yet, describing a queue that wound around the venue and onto the sidewalk. Bryan Carter of Atlanta, Georgia, called Federer the epitome of tennis perfection.