Roger Federer leads the list of nominees for the Tennis Hall of Fame
The legendary tennis player Roger Federer leads the list of nominees announced for the 2026 Class of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Federer, known for his exceptional game and elegance on the court, marked a golden era in tennis. Federer was the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles, setting an unprecedented standard of greatness. His dominance inspired a generation, competing with rivals of the stature of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. With a formidable forehand and serve, an aggressive playing style, and footwork that made everything seem effortless, Federer conquered 103 trophies and 1,251 singles matches. These figures were only surpassed by Jimmy Connors in the Open era, which began in 1968. Federer finished five seasons at number 1 in the ATP ranking, held the record for 237 consecutive weeks in that position. In addition, he led Switzerland to the Davis Cup title in 2014 and, along with Stan Wawrinka, won a gold medal in doubles at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. In the prime of his career, Federer reached a record of 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals between 2005 and 2007, winning eight titles in that period. His dominance extended to reaching 18 of 19 major finals until 2010. He also had streaks of 36 consecutive quarter-finals and 23 consecutive semi-finals. Federer, a tennis ambassador who often spoke in English, French, and Swiss German in press conferences, played his last match at Wimbledon in 2021, just before turning 40. His retirement announcement came the following year, bidding farewell with a doubles appearance alongside Nadal at the Laver Cup, an event founded by his management company. Alongside Federer, in the Hall of Fame player category, are Svetlana Kuznetsova, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, and Juan Martín del Potro, winner of the 2009 US Open. In the contributor category, television commentator Mary Carillo and administrator Marshall Happer are nominated. The honorees will be announced in November. Federer is one of eight men with at least one singles trophy from each of the four most important events in the sport, winning eight at Wimbledon, six at the Australian Open, five at the US Open, and one at the French Open. He completed the career Grand Slam at Roland-Garros in 2009. His first major championship was at the All England Club in 2003, and he surpassed Pete Sampras’ then-record of 14 Grand Slam titles by winning Wimbledon in 2009, defeating Andy Roddick 16-14 in the fifth set of the final. Federer was finally surpassed in the Grand Slam ranking by Nadal, who retired last year at 38 years old with 22 titles, and Djokovic, who is still active at 38 years old with 24 titles.Federer’s streak of five consecutive US Opens, something no man has achieved since, ended in the 2009 final with a five-set defeat to del Potro. At the time, del Potro was not yet 21 and seemed destined for an elite career, in part thanks to his powerful forehand, but a series of wrist and knee injuries derailed the 6-foot-6-inch Argentine. He finished with 22 tour-level titles and a career-high ranking of No. 3, while reaching another Grand Slam final, finishing as runner-up to Djokovic at the 2018 US Open. Del Potro won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and helped Argentina win the Davis Cup that year. His last appearance at a major tournament was a run to the fourth round at the 2019 French Open. Kuznetsova won major singles titles at the 2004 US Open and the 2009 French Open, and in doubles at the 2005 and 2012 Australian Open. She reached No. 2 in the WTA singles rankings and No. 3 in doubles, and was part of three championships with Russia in the competition now known as the Billie Jean King Cup. Kuznetsova won 18 tour-level events in singles and 16 in doubles.I always say it’s wonderful to be part of that select group. How can you compare? What is better? Winning when you’re older or when you’re younger? I have no idea, you know? Is it better to win on clay or on grass? I don’t know. Is it better to have super dominant years or to come back from an injury? I don’t know. It really is impossible to understand.
Roger Federer
