By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, August 30, 2026
Photo credit: JamieSchwaberow/International Tennis Hall of Fame
NEW YORK—All-court acumen and pure passion propelled Roger Federer to transcendent tennis.
In a stirring Hall of Fame induction in Newport, Federer shared the source of his legendary career is a simple and powerful source: love.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer and pioneering broadcaster Mary Carillo were inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame before an enthusiastic—and one of the largest—Newport crowds to witness a Hall of Fame induction in history.
Former Basel ball boy Federer and Queens native Carillo, who grew up playing with Port Washington buddy John McEnroe and eventually won the Roland Garros Mixed Doubles crown together, delivered poignant, powerful and insightful induction speeches showing the pair’s humor, humanity and vulnerability.
The 45-year-old Federer, who was presented by wife Mirka, broke down in tears a few times thanking all of the coaches and friends who stood by him.
At one point, Federer found the humor in his own water works.
“I need tissues and sunglasses. I need everything to protect me right now,” Federer remarked at one point. “Oh, man. Okay. Oh my, God, now we get into the Mirka bit. This is such a mess.”
Photo credit: JamieSchwaberow/International Tennis Hall of Fame
As his parents, Robbie and Lynette, shed tears, Federer recalled how they instilled the self-reliance, respect, discipline and humility he carried throughout his career.
Ultimately, both Hall of Famers shared their relationship to the sport is rooted true tennis love stories.
“At every stage of my career, I tried above all to stay true to myself, and I tried to show my love for the game, because it really mattered to me, and I also wanted it to matter to you to be worthy of your attention, worthy of your attendance,” Federer told fans. “Because people don’t have to come watch us play. They come to be entertained, inspired, excited.
“They could always decide to go somewhere else, but they chose tennis, they chose us. Everywhere I played, you made me feel like I had home-court advantage.
“I’ve always wanted people to see how great it feels to play this game, how great it feels to have a ball hit hard at you. The way it spins, the sound it makes, the way it bounces, how geometry shifts as the ball moves towards you and how the court itself opens or shrinks. Tennis is a complex and beautiful thing. It is spectacular to watch. You the fan, you see it all. You live it with, you every point.”
The long-awaited Induction Ceremony was preceded by the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s first-ever Red Carpet Pre-Show, taking place on the ITHF’s sold-out Stadium Court, featuring interviews with Hall of Famer’sand celebrities, including: Roger Federer, Mary Carillo, Lleyton Hewitt, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Stan Smith, Billie Jean King, Stefan Edberg, Martina Navratilova, Mary Pierce, Tommy Haas, Mats Wilander, Jim Courier, Bob and Mike Bryan, Pam Shriver, TraceyAustin, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Kim Clijsters, Lindsay Vonn, Joey Graziadei, Michael Kosta and more.
Introduced by legendary Hall of Famer Billie Jean King, Carillo recalled the first time she took a set from her father, Tony Carillo, and how it transformed her like facing a force of nature.
“I found tennis, and for a kid like me, it was nothing less than the clap of creation. I didn’t want to keep noodling around with other sports, with other stuff, with schoolwork,” Carillo said. “Of my siblings who are here today, I was the third best student. There are three of us.
“Anyway, tennis is all I wanted to do. Tennis is all I wanted to be good at. A tennis player is who I wanted to be. My mom never had to wonder where I was or what I was getting into, because she knew I was up at the Douglaston club. I was picking up balls for our club pro, Dan Dwyer. Great guy. I was putting them into his shopping cart so I could listen in on the lessons he was giving. Or I was bugging kids for a game or hitting against the wall behind Court 5, right.”
Photo credit: JamieSchwaberow/International Tennis Hall of Fame
Mirka Federer opened the curtain to her famous husband’s character pointing out his humanity off the court far exceeds his legendary history built on the court.
“Those values are what have carried him through every chapter of his life. So many people around the world know Roger as one of the greatest tennis players who ever lived,” Mirka Federer said. “They know the titles, the records, the elegance, the rivalries, the victories, the moments that became part of tennis history, and those of us who know Roger best know something even better.
“The trophies and records are extraordinary, but they are only part of his legacy. What makes me proudest isn’t what Roger accomplished when the world was watching. It’s who he is when nobody is watching.”
After his wife’s introductory speech, Federer pointed out it was Mirka’s first public speaking engagement in 24 years, since standout Aussie Hall of Famer Fred Stolle, Mary Carillo’s former broadcast partner, interviewed the young couple at Hopman Cup.
In some early stages of his career at the US Open, five-time champion Federer was sometimes coach-less and would pick up his own balls after practice with then girlfriend Mirka.
Former WTA pro Mirka Federer delivered a memorable narrative from the couple’s early days on Tour when served as her future husband’s practice partner.
“In those early days I would sometimes even help warm him up before matches. I had played professionally myself, so Roger thought I could help him get ready,” Mirka Federer recalled. “I still remember Andy Roddick joking after the Cincinnati final: “I can’t believe I lost to a guy whose girlfriend warmed him up.”
“He really said that, and I remember, yeah “
The Hall of Fames Class of 2026 showed pure class recounting the inspiration fellow Hall of Famers, players and fans have had on their lives.
“Matches get played. Memories get made,” Carillo said in closing. “Stories get told, and laughs sure get laughed.
“The years pass, and athletes know better than anyone that you can’t stop the tide. So enjoy the ride. I’ve been blessed to take mine with so many good people, and that is the best thing I could dream for anybody. Thank you all.”
The Swiss stylist Federer finished his career with 103 singles titles, second most in the Open Era, and was voted by his peers as the ATP’s Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award 13 times. Additionally, Federer was the ATP Fan Favorite for a record 19 consecutive years, from 2003 to 2021.
Through it all, Federer said he always connected to the joy that comes from play.
“Yes, this sport takes work and practice, but the sense of play always carried me through. When the work and play bled together, that’s the best feeling of all, which is why I turned pro,” Federer said. “I didn’t see myself as a professional athlete. I was a tennis player, plain and simple, and I was part of a community of tennis players and tennis people.”
A global icon closed his speech spotlighting the power personal touch has had on his life.
“My time as a player is done, but tennis will always stand at the intersection of everything I care most about. My family, our friendships, the past 40 years, the future we’re building,” Federer said. “Tennis for me is responsible for it all. So this is not a goodbye, but before I close, I want to share my hopes for this sport.
“The International Tennis Hall of Fame shows the evolution of tennis, and I’m honored to be part of that, and I’m incredibly lucky to have bridged the generations from Pete and Andre, the superstars, to champions my own age, like Roddick, Hewitt, Safin, and Ferrero. To the epic rivalries I had with the next generation: Andy, Novak, and Rafa.
“We all leave the court eventually, but the sport keeps evolving. As the pace of professional tennis speeds up, as the sport becomes even more global, I so hope it will keep some of that amateur spirit, keep the camaraderie among the players. I hope the players will stay young at heart and stay true to their authentic selves.”
The International Tennis Hall of Fame Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, with last admission at 4:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $25, and children 12 and under receive free admission. For more information about the ITHF Museum and to plan your visit, please visit tennisfame.com/visit/hours-and-admission.
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