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Roger Federer struggled to hold back his emotions during his International Tennis Hall of Fame induction speech on Saturday. The 20-time Grand Slam champion became visibly tearful several times as he took the stage at Newport’s grass court, dressed in a tan suit, after sharing an emotional embrace with his wife, Mirka, who had introduced him.

For much of his career, Federer was the player who left fans searching for words after his remarkable achievements. This time, however, it was Mirka’s heartfelt tribute that moved him deeply, leaving the tennis legend in tears during one of the most meaningful moments of his post-playing career.

Roger Federer Fights Back Tears During International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction

Roger Federer was visibly emotional as he officially entered the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, calling the recognition one of the “greatest honors of my life.” The 45-year-old Swiss icon, a 20-time Grand Slam singles champion who retired in 2022, reflected on a career that connected him with some of the biggest names, moments and memories in tennis.

During his speech in Newport, Rhode Island, Federer thanked his rivals, officials, fans, friends, family and the countless people who supported him throughout his career. He also looked back at his journey from working as a 13-year-old ballboy at an ATP event in Basel to becoming one of the sport’s greatest players. “My goal was to spend my life doing something I love… with people who I love it as much as I do.”

Federer struggled to contain his emotions while mentioning his childhood idol Stefan Edberg, fellow players and members of his support team. At one point, he joked about needing protection from the tears, saying, “I need tissues and sunglasses and everything to protect me right now. This is such a mess.” He also paid tribute to the ball kids who worked through his matches, adding, “I see you. I thank you. I was you.”

Roger Federer Reflects on Tennis Legacy and Shares Lighthearted Headband Record

The former world No. 1 described his Hall of Fame induction as a chance to reflect on everything tennis has given him while looking toward the future. “It’s been an incredible journey,” Federer said, before explaining that the sport remains deeply connected to his family, friendships and the next chapter of his life. “As you can tell, I’m still writing my love letter to tennis.”

Federer also found a lighter way to measure his extraordinary career, pointing beyond his Grand Slam titles and weeks at No. 1. He revealed that he wore more than 5,000 headbands during his playing years, joking that the number surpassed the combined totals of Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe. “That’s more than (Bjorn) Borg and (John) McEnroe combined.”