Roger Federer accepts his induction into the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame throughout a ceremony in Newport. Photograph: AFP
NEWPORT:
A tearful Roger Federer was inducted into the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame on Saturday, describing his formal entrance into the game’s pantheon as one of many “best honors of my life.”
The 45-year-old 20-time Grand Slam singles champion was steadily overcome with emotion as he addressed a crowd bristling with tennis royalty at a ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island.
The Swiss legend, who retired from tennis in 2022, paid tribute to the opponents, officers, followers, household and mates who had shared his profession throughout a prolonged handle that unfolded as a love letter to the game.
“This is likely one of the best honors of my life,” Federer mentioned. “They name this the Corridor of Fame, however fame was by no means the aim.
“My aim was to spend my life doing one thing I really like… with individuals who I like it as a lot as I do.”
In a light-hearted preamble, the eight-time Wimbledon champion totted up his profession in a few of his lesser-known statistical milestones.
“Not the plain stats just like the variety of majors or variety of weeks at primary,” Federer mentioned. “I am speaking concerning the numbers that actually paint an image. Between 1998 and once I first went on the ATP tour, and once I retired in 2022, I wore greater than 5,000 headbands. That is greater than (Bjorn) Borg and (John) McEnroe mixed.
“And if you happen to assume that is spectacular, I wore in all probability over 7000 pairs of socks. That is in all probability twice as many as most of my opponents, as a result of I doubled them up.
“However actually, there is not any strategy to measure what it means to be right here. It is onerous to place it into phrases,” Federer mentioned, reflecting on his journey from being a 13-year-old ballboy at an ATP event in Basel to the head of tennis.
“I actually need to thank each ball child who ever stood by means of my matches or all our matches, for that matter, for hours on finish,” Federer mentioned. “I see you. I thanks. I used to be you.”
Federer needed to wipe away tears as he name-checked his idol Stefan Edberg, different tennis stars, household and assist workers who had impressed him all through his profession.
“I want tissues and sun shades and every little thing to guard me proper now,” he joked. “That is such a multitude.”
“It has been an unbelievable journey,” Federer mentioned. “For me, the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame gives an amazing alternative to look again, but in addition to look forward,” he added.
“As you possibly can inform, I am nonetheless writing my love letter to tennis. My time as a participant is completed, however tennis will at all times stand on the intersection of every little thing I care most about: my household, our friendships, the previous 40 years, the longer term we’re constructing. Tennis for me is accountable for all of it.”