Roger Federer came out in praise of 25-time major champion Martina Hingis when news of her retirement broke on Thursday in Singapore. The Swiss gave the Swiss Miss credit for getting the ball rolling for Swiss tennis.

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"Martina was partially the one who showed me how it was all done," said 19-time major champion Federer. "It was great for Switzerland to have someone of her caliber. We were very lucky. I loved playing with her at the Hopman Cup, she was always super friendly, I love that about her.”

Hingis announced she will retire at the conclusion of this year’s WTA Finals in Singapore. The 37-year-old locked down the year-end No.1 ranking, along with her partner Chang Yung-Jan, by reaching the semifinals in Singapore on Thursday.

36-year-old Federer says that while he’ll miss Hingis on tour, he’s not sad for her.

"I'm not sad to see her retire, she's been in the game for long enough,” she said. “She seems at peace with her decision -- that's wonderful. I've always been a fan of her and I always will be."