Roger Federer expected his Tennis Hall of Fame induction to be emotional, and it did not take long for that to happen. The 45-year-old became tearful several times Saturday while speaking about his family, coaches and the people who were part of his long career.
Federer took the stage in Newport, Rhode Island, after being introduced by his wife, Mirka. He hugged and kissed her before beginning his speech, and he admitted to the crowd that he was nervous about the moment.
The ceremony came years after Federer built a career that put him among the most accomplished men’s tennis players. He became the first man to reach 20 Grand Slam singles championships and spent 237 straight weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings.
Still, Federer did not spend much of his speech listing what he had won. He talked more about where his connection to tennis began and the people who helped him along the way.
One of those memories came from Basel, Switzerland, where Federer worked as a ball boy when he was 13. Being so close to professional players gave him a different view of matches, from giving players towels and balls to watching how they handled difficult moments on the court. He also remembered being exhausted after spending so much time on his feet.
His interest in the sport started even earlier. Federer said his parents told him that he was only three when he first held a racket, and he recalled playing with one of his father’s old wooden rackets.
Both of his parents were part of his development in tennis. His mother worked full time but still arranged lessons and matches for him and helped his coaches, while Federer remembered the many hours his parents spent with him around the court.
The speech became harder for Federer as he began thanking people who had a personal impact on him. Talking about former player Stefan Edberg, whom Federer admired as a child, brought tears. Remembering longtime coach Severin Luthi made him emotional again.
His tribute to Mirka was one of the toughest parts for him to finish. Federer credited his wife with helping him take tennis more seriously while also enjoying life away from competition, and he spoke about her role as the mother of their four children. At one point, he joked that he needed tissues and sunglasses as he tried to regain his composure.
Federer’s career included eight Wimbledon championships and six Australian Open titles. He won the French Open in 2009 to complete a career Grand Slam, and from 2004 through 2008, he won the U.S. Open five years in a row.
He also spoke about what he tried to give fans during his playing years. Federer said spectators had other choices for how to spend their time, so he wanted people who came to tennis matches to leave feeling entertained or inspired.
The ceremony also welcomed Mary Carillo into the Hall of Fame as a contributor. Carillo, 69, is a former player and broadcaster who is already a member of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Billie Jean King presented Carillo and praised the work she had done in sports journalism. Carillo told the group of Hall of Famers gathered in Newport that she had never imagined herself someday entering the Hall alongside them.
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