Roger Federer has received one of the highest honors in tennis, earning election to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The announcement confirms what many have considered inevitable throughout his legendary quarter-century career.
The Swiss maestro, who became the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles, was the sole candidate to receive the necessary votes in the player category for the Hall’s Class of 2026. The Hall, based in Newport, Rhode Island, does not disclose specific voting results.
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Federer’s career statistics cement his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. He is one of only eight men to achieve a Career Grand Slam. His trophy haul includes a record eight Wimbledon titles, six Australian Open crowns, five US Open victories, and one French Open championship.
Beyond the majors, Federer won 103 singles tournaments—a tally surpassed only by Jimmy Connors in the Open Era. He held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 237 consecutive weeks. His elegant, all-court style, characterised by a devastating forehand and seemingly effortless movement, made him a global ambassador for the sport.
Upon the announcement, Federer expressed deep gratitude for the recognition. “I’ve always valued the history of tennis and the example set by those who came before me,” he said. “To be recognised in this way by the sport and by my peers is deeply humbling.”
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His journey began with his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003. He would later break Pete Sampras’s then-record of 14 major titles in 2009. Eventually, he reached his historic 20th at the 2018 Australian Open. Throughout his career, Federer maintained that he played not for records, but for love of the game.
