Roger Federer Enters the International Tennis Hall of Fame
In an announcement that doesn’t surprise tennis fans, Roger Federer has been chosen to enter the International Tennis Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The induction ceremony will take place in August. Federer, the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles, was part of a golden era of tennis alongside his rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. He was the only candidate in the players’ category who received the necessary support for the Hall of Fame Class of 2026, which does not reveal the voting results.
Federer, who has been an ambassador of tennis, conquered eight championships at Wimbledon, six at the Australian Open, five at the US Open, and one at the French Open.“I have always valued the history of tennis and the example of those who came before me. Being recognized in this way by the sport and by my peers is deeply moving,” said Federer.
Roger Federer
His first Grand Slam title came at the All England Club in 2003, and he surpassed Pete Sampras’ record of 14 major titles by winning Wimbledon in 2009. Federer secured his twentieth Grand Slam at the 2018 Australian Open. The tennis legend, with a game based on a powerful forehand and an effective serve, won 103 tournaments and 1,251 singles matches. Federer finished five years at number 1 in the ATP ranking, spending 237 consecutive weeks and a total of 310 at the top. His last match was at Wimbledon in 2021. He announced his retirement the following year, saying goodbye by playing doubles alongside Nadal at the Laver Cup. The tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, current number 1, has expressed his admiration for Federer, highlighting his elegance both on and off the court. Federer dominated tennis, reaching a record of 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals between 2005 and 2007, winning eight. In addition, he was present in 18 of 19 Grand Slam finals and achieved streaks of 23 semifinals and 36 quarterfinals in major tournaments. Mary Carillo, television commentator and journalist, was also chosen, but in the contributors category.“I didn’t predict I would have so many Grand Slam titles. To be honest, I expected to have maybe one at the beginning of my career,” Federer commented.
Roger Federer
In the next vote, Juan Martin del Potro and Svetlana Kuznetsova will be available in the players category, while Serena Williams and Ashleigh Barty, who played their last matches in 2022, will be eligible for the first time.“I’ve had the privilege of spending my career sharing the stories of this magnificent game, and if I’ve opened any doors along the way, it will make this August day even more meaningful,” Carillo said.
Mary Carillo
