Tearful Federer delivers 'love letter' at Hall of Fame induction
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New York witnessed a tearful induction ceremony for tennis legend Roger Federer on Saturday, as the 20-time Grand Slam champion was honored at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Federer, alongside broadcaster and journalist Mary Carillo, reflected on his illustrious career that brought him to tears on occasion.
In his speech, the Swiss maestro expressed his gratitude and shared his perspective on tennis, stating, "This is one of the greatest honors 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."
The record-breaking Federer captured eight Wimbledon titles, spent 310 weeks as the world No. 1, and claimed six Australian Open crowns, five US Open titles, and one French Open title. He added a touch of humor, sharing that he wore more than 5,000 headbands during his career and always wore two pairs of socks. Federer emphasized that tennis meant the world to him, not just through wins, but through creating something new and unique on the court.
Beyond his accomplishments on the court, Federer dedicated a significant part of his address to his off-court family, friends, and mentors. He thanked his coaches, doctors, and wife Mirka, praising her for her character as a husband, father, and friend. As his name entered the Hall of Fame, Federer expressed pride in representing Switzerland and recalled his early days as a tennis enthusiast, watching matches as a 13-year-old ball boy in Basel.
He said, "I'm still writing my love letter to tennis, and my time as a player is done, but tennis will always stand at the intersection of everything I care most about."
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