Swiss tennis great Roger Federer is set to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this weekend in Newport, Rhode Island. In a recent interview with CNN Sports, Federer said he is prepared for “happy tears” as he reflects on his career and the support of his family.
Family and gratitude at the forefront
Federer explained that speaking about the game and the gratitude he feels, while having his parents, wife, four children, and his coaching staff present, could bring the emotions “home very hard.” He hopes to deliver his speech without too many hiccups, but expects the moment to be deeply memorable.
A career of record‑breaking achievements
From his breakthrough Wimbledon victory in 2001, when he dethroned Pete Sampras, to his record 237 consecutive weeks at world No. 1, Federer has amassed an extraordinary résumé. He captured three of the four Grand Slam titles in 2004, won over 95% of his matches in 2005, and posted a 94.8% win rate in his peak 2006 season, adding three more majors and a total of 12 titles that year.
His 20 Grand Slam titles stood as the all‑time record until recently surpassed by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Yet many fans still regard him as the greatest player of all time, citing his grace, elegance, and sportsmanship on the court.
Life after tennis
Now retired, Federer says he enjoys a slower pace, focusing on family, philanthropy, and business ventures. He remains active on the road, loves traveling, and is working to improve his golf game. He also hopes to return to music, mentioning a desire to play piano again, a skill his wife and children share.
Looking ahead
Federer expressed a wish to someday play exhibition matches against legends such as Rod Laver, Björn Borg, John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker and Pete Sampras, admiring what they represent for the sport. As he prepares for his Hall of Fame ceremony, he remains grateful for the support of fans worldwide and looks forward to celebrating his legacy alongside the greats who paved the way.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
