Roger Federer Elected to The International Tennis Hall of Fame/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Roger Federer has been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The 20-time Grand Slam champion was the only player inducted in the 2026 class. Broadcaster Mary Carillo was also honored in the contributor category.
Federer’s Hall of Fame Induction Quick Looks
- Roger Federer elected in first year of eligibility.
- Becomes a 2026 inductee to International Tennis Hall of Fame.
- Only candidate in the player category to receive enough votes.
- Federer owns 20 Grand Slam titles and 103 career titles.
- Retired after final match at Wimbledon in 2021.
- Career includes 310 weeks ranked No. 1, including 237 straight.
- Mary Carillo also elected in the contributor category.
- Induction ceremony scheduled for August 2026.
- Voting requires 75% approval from media, peers, and fans.
- Future ballots may feature Serena Williams, Ash Barty, and more.
Deep Look: Roger Federer Inducted Into Tennis Hall of Fame in First Year of Eligibility
NEWPORT, R.I. — One of tennis’s most iconic figures, Roger Federer, has officially been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, earning the honor in his first year of eligibility, the Hall announced on Wednesday.
The 20-time Grand Slam singles champion, widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in the history of sport, was the only player in the 2026 Hall of Fame class to receive the necessary level of support in the player category.
Legendary Career, Unmatched Influence
Federer’s election caps off a career defined by elegance, dominance, and global admiration. He is part of a golden era of tennis alongside longtime rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, an era Federer himself once called “a golden time for tennis.”
“To be recognized in this way by the sport and by my peers is deeply humbling,” Federer said in a statement. “I’ve always valued the history of tennis and the example set by those who came before me.”
His eight Wimbledon titles, six Australian Opens, five U.S. Opens, and one French Open make him one of only eight men to complete the career Grand Slam. Federer claimed his first major at Wimbledon in 2003 and his final Slam at the 2018 Australian Open, becoming the first man to win 20 Grand Slam titles—a mark since surpassed by both Nadal and Djokovic.
Hall of Fame Selection Process
To be considered for induction, a player must be retired for at least five years and receive at least 75% of the vote from a global panel consisting of tennis media, historians, Hall of Famers, and fans. Voting results are not publicly disclosed.
Federer easily cleared that bar in his debut year.
The 2026 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place in August in Newport, Rhode Island, the historic home of the Hall.
Beyond Titles: Federer’s Lasting Impact
Federer was more than just a champion. His style of play, featuring an effortless forehand, pinpoint serve, and graceful movement, helped revolutionize the game and set a standard for sportsmanship and excellence.
He finished his career with:
- 103 career singles titles
- 1,251 match wins, second only to Jimmy Connors
- 310 total weeks ranked No. 1, with a record 237 consecutive weeks
- 10 straight Grand Slam finals from 2005 to 2007
- 23 consecutive Slam semifinals, and 36 quarterfinals
Federer also helped Switzerland win its first Davis Cup title in 2014 and earned Olympic doubles gold with Stan Wawrinka in 2008.
He played his final professional match in 2021 at Wimbledon, a month before turning 40, and announced his retirement in 2022 after a farewell appearance at the Laver Cup — an event organized by his management company.
Carillo Also Inducted for Contributions to the Sport
In addition to Federer, the Hall of Fame also honored Mary Carillo in the contributor category. A former player turned award-winning broadcaster, Carillo has been a groundbreaking voice in tennis coverage and sports journalism.
She is credited as the first woman to regularly provide tennis commentary and has worked as a correspondent for HBO’s Real Sports. Her career has earned her six Emmy Awards, three Peabody Awards, and induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2018.
“I’ve been privileged to spend my career sharing the stories of this magnificent game,” Carillo said. “If I’ve opened any doors along the way, it will make this day even more meaningful.”
What’s Next: Future Hall of Fame Contenders
The 2026 class will include only Federer and Carillo, but future ballots promise more major stars. Among the most anticipated candidates for 2027 are:
- Serena Williams, 23-time Grand Slam champion
- Ash Barty, former World No. 1 and three-time Slam winner
- Juan Martin del Potro and Svetlana Kuznetsova, who remain eligible holdovers
These names will undoubtedly continue to shape the legacy of tennis as the Hall of Fame welcomes more modern legends.
Federer’s Enduring Inspiration
Federer’s influence continues to ripple through the sport, with younger players like Carlos Alcaraz openly expressing admiration.
“He took the game to another level,” Alcaraz said. “The elegance, the humility — everything he did, he did with grace.”
Even Djokovic has acknowledged the seeming impossibility of Federer’s sustained excellence.
“Those are results that didn’t seem human,” Djokovic once said.
For fans, peers, and rising stars alike, Federer remains a symbol of what is possible in tennis — both in achievement and in character.
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