Emotional Federer inducted into tennis Hall of Fame

Roger Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam singles champion and Swiss tennis legend, was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday in Newport, Rhode Island. The 45-year-old, who retired from professional tennis in 2022, was visibly emotional as he addressed a crowd of tennis royalty. Federer described receiving the honor as one of the greatest honors of his life, explaining that his goal was never fame, but rather doing something he loved with people he loved.

During his emotional speech, Federer shared some lesser-known statistics about his career, including that he wore over 5,000 headbands and over 7,000 pairs of socks during his career. He reflected on his journey from a 13-year-old ballboy to a tennis icon, expressing his gratitude to every ball kid who stood through his matches. Federer paid tribute to his idols, family, and support staff, joking that he needed tissues and sunglasses to handle his emotions.

Federer acknowledged that while his playing career had ended, tennis would always remain at the center of his life, representing the intersection of his family, friendships, and the past 40 years. He emphasized that tennis had been responsible for shaping everything he holds most dear.