| Twenty-time major champion Roger Federer was elected to receive the ultimate honor in tennis – induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in the player category. Sports reporter and journalist Mary Carrillo was also selected in the Contributors category, which recognizes individuals who have had an outstanding impact on the sport of tennis.
Federer is one of only eight men in tennis history to achieve a career Grand Slam in singles and was the first male player in tennis history to win 20 major singles titles. He was number 1 in the world rankings for 237 consecutive weeks and held this position for a total of 310 weeks throughout his career. During his ATP career, he won 103 singles titles, received the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award 13 times and was voted ATP fan favorite for 19 consecutive years – a record number. Federer won an Olympic gold medal in doubles in 2008, led Switzerland to the Davis Cup title in 2014 and created the Laver Cup to honor the global legacy of Hall of Famer Rod Laver. In a special moment, everything came full circle when Federer received the news from his fellow Hall of Famers while surrounded by the next generation of champions at Swiss Tennis, where his career began. Hall of Fame members Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker, two of Federer’s inspirations as a child, joined more than 20 other Hall of Fame members in congratulating him. |
| “It is a great honor to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and to stand alongside so many great champions of the game,” said Federer. “Throughout my career, I have always valued the history of tennis and the example of those who came before me. It was very special to receive the news at Swiss Tennis, surrounded by the next generation of players – the place where my own journey began. To be recognized in this way by the sport and by my peers is deeply humbling. I look forward to visiting Newport next August to celebrate this special moment with the tennis community.”
Read more detailed information about Roger Federer’s career every day in the book “On This Day In Roger Federer History” by Randy Walker here. On This Day In Roger Federer History: Walker, Randy: 9781937559960: Amazon.com: Books |
| A pioneer in sports media, Mary Carillo was the first woman to regularly commentate on tennis broadcasts. Her insight and versatility opened the door for more women to step into analyst roles in tennis and beyond. She has covered hundreds of events for major networks and was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2018. Carillo has also covered 16 Olympic Games and served as a correspondent for HBO’s “Real Sports.” She has received six Emmy® Awards and three Peabody Awards, including two for HBO documentaries (“Dare To Compete: The Struggle of Women In Sports” and “Billie Jean King: Portrait of A Pioneer”). Carillo was informed of her selection in a surprise video call with Hall of Famer John McEnroe and Hall of Fame President Patrick McEnroe. The trio grew up playing tennis together in Queens, NY “It is a great honor to be recognized alongside so many other legends and colleagues in the tennis world.” Carrillo said. “I have been privileged to spend my career telling the stories of this great game, and if I have opened any doors along the way, it will make this day in August even more meaningful.” The Class of 2026 will be officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame during the induction ceremony August 27-29, 2026 in Newport, Rhode Island. Tickets for the 2026 Induction Ceremony and the full ITHF Induction Ceremony experiences will be available on Wednesday, February 11th. Fans can learn more about Induction Ceremony offerings and sign up for updates at tennisfame.com/induction. Following a revised format introduced in 2025, the ITHF Induction Celebration will again offer its core fan programming in 2026, including the Hall of Fame Celebrity Pro Classic presented by Fidelity Investments, which features Hall of Famers, celebrities and creatives on the court together in various mixed doubles matches. The 2026 Induction Ceremony will also bring back the Fit for Fame Blazer Dinner and Fame Fest, packed with family-friendly games and activities, New England Faire and opportunities to connect with Hall of Famers through live podcast recordings and meet and greets. Federer and Carillo will join an elite group of 270 candidates from 28 countries who will be awarded the ultimate honor in tennis. |