“One of the Greatest Honours of My Life”: Roger Federer Immortalised in the Hall of Fame After Two Decades of Tennis Greatness

New Delhi, August 30: Former Tennis player and legend Roger Federer was emotional and teary-eyed as he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, on Saturday.

Federer, who spent nearly two decades in the sport, said he is still writing his love letter to the sport that "meant the world" to him. One of the most successful and illustrious Tennis players of all time, Federer captured a men's-record eight Wimbledon titles and spent 310 weeks as the world number one. He also won six Australian Open crowns, five US Open titles and one French Open title.

Speaking on the occasion, Federer said, "This is one of the greatest honours of my life. They call this the Hall of Fame, but fame was never the goal. My goal was to spend my life doing something I love ... with people who love it as much as I do."

Mirka Federer Reflects On Her Roger's Impeccable Career

Present in the hall was also Mirka Federer, wife of Roger, who has been a lifelong cheerleader of Federer. Mirka reflected on her husband's impeccable career which transcended ages.

"Many people around the world know Roger as one of the greatest tennis players who ever lived. They know the titles, the records, the elegance, the rivalries, the victories, and the moments that became part of tennis history. And those of us who know Roger best know something even better: the trophies and records are extraordinary, but they're only part of his legacy. What makes me most proud isn't what Roger achieved when the world was watching; it's who he is when no one is watching," Mirka said.

Mirka also thanked Roger for being persistent all those years ago in Sydney and for choosing their family every single day since then. She said that watching his career had given her one of the greatest privileges and joys of her life and that sharing his life had been an even greater privilege. Finally, she said that it was an honour for her to present her husband, her best friend, and the newest member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Roger.

Roger Federer's induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame was a deeply emotional and memorable moment that celebrated not only his achievements but also his lasting impact on tennis.

Reflecting on his career, Federer described himself as "incredibly lucky" to have played alongside different generations of great players, including Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. His words showed his gratitude and humility despite his extraordinary success. Federer also recognised that the occasion was not simply about looking back on his career, but about looking ahead to the future of tennis.

Novak Djokovic captured the respect Federer had earned from his peers when he said, "We all knew this day is going to come sooner or later. I don't think anybody deserves this more than you." Overall, Federer's induction represents the culmination of an exceptional career and the beginning of an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.