Roger Federer was overcome with emotion several times during his induction speech at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, on Saturday.
As the sun set over Newport’s grass horseshoe court at the Hall’s entrance, the 45-year-old Federer walked onto the stage in a tan suit. After kissing and hugging his wife, Mirka, who had introduced him, he quickly realized the speech would be difficult.
“Oh man,”
Those were the first words from the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
“This is very high level and a tough act to follow.”
Federer joked:
“I don’t know if you have been practicing secretly”
before praising his wife’s presentation of the 274th Hall of Famer.
Federer was inducted alongside Mary Carillo, the broadcaster and former player, who was presented by Hall of Famer Billie Jean King. Federer, known as the “Swiss Maestro” during the Hall’s first red-carpet show, said he “was a little stressed to be honest.”
During his nearly 30-minute speech, Federer became emotional several times while reflecting on a career that included fluid movement, a quick approach to the net and a one-handed backhand. Those qualities helped him spend a record 237 consecutive weeks as the world’s No. 1 player in the ATP rankings.
He first began to struggle midway through the speech while discussing his childhood hero, Stefan Edberg, although he described the emotion as “happy tears.”
Federer became emotional again while speaking about his longtime coach, Severin Luthi. When he turned to thanking Mirka for supporting his journey, he paused and said:
“Now the Mirka part,”
He then broke into tears.
“Oh gosh, this is such a mess.”
Trying to lighten the moment, Federer told the crowd:
“I need tissues and sunglasses, everything to protect me right now,”
But the tears continued.
Federer eventually regained his composure, much as he did while winning one of his five consecutive U.S. Open titles from 2004 to 2008 or reaching 10 straight Grand Slam finals, eight of which he won. He closed by thanking the ball kids and encouraging players to continue pushing tennis to new levels.
Federer, who celebrated his 45th birthday three weeks ago, won eight Wimbledon titles and is one of only eight men to complete a career Grand Slam. He also won six Australian Open titles and captured the French Open in 2009.
“I’m thrilled to have made the journey here,”
he said.
“It’s amazing to see yourself in a place like this. To immerse yourself in the history of the sport means a lot to me.”
Carillo was inducted as a contributor and is a member of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
King said:
“She has earned her spot in sports journalism, and she has earned her spot in Newport.”
Carillo, 69, said she was touched to stand before several Hall of Famers.
“To walk through these gates here in the company of you people, that was beyond my dreams,”
she said.
