Roger Federer's election into the International Tennis Hall of Fame was a momentous occasion, celebrated by his peers and fans alike. Among the many well-wishers, two iconic figures stood out: Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg. These former tennis stars, who were once admired by Federer, joined him in a video call to express their admiration and congratulations.
Becker, a former ATP No. 1 player, praised Federer's impact on the sport, stating, 'You really put tennis on a different map. Whenever you started winning, people who had nothing to do with tennis liked tennis. It was because of you.' He went on to claim that Federer's influence transcends tennis, making him 'the most important sportsman of all time.'
Edberg, Federer's former coach, echoed similar sentiments, saying, 'Congratulations on being part of the Tennis Hall of Fame. You really, really deserve it. You've had an incredible career, and your 20 Grand Slam titles speak for themselves.'
The support from these legends, along with others like Billie Jean King and Martina Hingis, highlighted Federer's profound impact on the sport. King noted, 'You meant so much to so many of us. You had such guts, such focus, such intensity. I could see how much it meant to you, and just watching you brought out every aspect of your character.' Hingis added, 'Everything always looked so perfect and easy when you were on court. Many people don't see all the sweat that is behind it, because you kind of make it look so easy.'
Federer's induction into the Hall of Fame will be officially celebrated during the Induction Celebration in Newport from 27-29 August 2026, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career.
