The Rhode Island-based International Tennis Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday, that Roger Federer was elected in his first year of eligibility. This comes as no surprise to anyone who has paid any attention to the sport over the past 25 years.
He was the only candidate to garner enough support in the player category for the Hall of Fame’s class of 2026. He was the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles and a part of an era of unparalleled greatness with rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, during what Federer called “a golden time for tennis.” Voting results are not disclosed by The Hall.
In the contributor category, Mary Carillo, a journalist and TV host who was also a player, was chosen. August is when the induction ceremony takes place.
“I’ve always valued the history of tennis and the example set by those who came before me,” Federer said. “To be recognised in this way by the sport and by my peers is deeply humbling.”
He has won eight titles at Wimbledon, six at the Australian Open, five at the US Open, and one at the French Open, making him one of eight players with a career Grand Slam.
Federer won his maiden Slam championship at the All England Club in 2003. In 2009, he defeated Andy Roddick 16-14 in the fifth set of the Wimbledon final, shattering Pete Sampras’ then-record of 14 major victories for a male. At the 2018 Australian Open, Federer won his 20th Grand Slam title.
Nadal, who reached 22 Grand Slam victories before retiring last year at age 38, and Djokovic, who has 24 and is currently competing at age 38, finally overtook him.
Federer won 103 tournaments and 1,251 singles matches with a great forehand and serve, an attacking, all-court style, and footwork that made everything appear so smooth. Jimmy Connors was the only player to surpass Federer’s totals in the men’s game during the Open era, which started in 1968.
Federer led Switzerland to the 2014 Davis Cup triumph, won a gold medal in doubles at the 2008 Olympics with Stan Wawrinka, finished five years at the top of the ATP rankings, and held the top spot for a record 237 weeks in a row.
Federer played his final match at Wimbledon in 2021 and served as an ambassador for the sport, frequently responding to questions in English, French, and Swiss German during press conferences. At the time, he was one month away from turning 40.
The following year, he announced his retirement and played doubles with Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup, an event that Federer’s management company founded.
Federer became a role model for younger players along the way, including 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, the current No. 1 with six Slam titles.
Federer reached a record 10 straight Grand Slam finals from 2005 to 2007, winning eight of them, when he was at the peak of his powers. In addition to his appearances in 18 out of 19 Slam finals, he achieved streaks of 23 semifinals and 36 quarterfinals at major tournaments.
