On the eve of his formal induction into the Tennis Hall of Fame this Saturday, Roger Federer just got real about what his legendary career actually means. Turns out, the 45-year-old was a little surprised to find out that since retiring four years ago, people aren’t just talking about his forehands or backhands anymore.
The Real Legacy He Never Saw Coming
Federer told reporters before being enshrined that retirement gave him a chance to think about his impact beyond the court. He was surprised by all the talk about his personality and what he brought to the game off the court. He used to think it was all about “forehands and backhands and saving break points and victories.” But now? He gets it. He said it becomes “not irrelevant eventually” but it’s really about how you’re remembered: how you behaved in locker rooms, corridors, with the media, tournament directors, or even the ball kids. That’s a huge shift from the guy who racked up 103 singles titles in a 24-year career, including 20 Grand Slam championships and two Olympic medals. He won gold in doubles with Stan Wawrinka at the 2008 Games. Talk about an on-court resume that speaks for itself, but Federer is saying the story goes deeper.
That Fire Still Burns (and Wins!)
Even four years removed from competition, Federer admitted he “dearly” misses playing. You hear that? *Dearsly*. Fans still come up to him and say they wish he was still competing, and honestly, who doesn’t? He said it gives him a flashback to an amazing time, saying “I loved it, and it’s a shame I can’t be on the tour anymore. But it was a great, great time and I miss it dearly.” That passion clearly hasn’t faded. He recently returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium for an exhibition match, taking down Andy Roddick 6-3 in singles. And then he teamed up with John McEnroe to beat Roddick and Andre Agassi 7-5 in doubles. The man can still ball, even at 45.
It’s clear Federer left a mark, making friends and building connections over his 25 years on tour. The International Tennis Hall of Fame recognized that, announcing him and journalist Mary Carillo for the Class of 2026 back in November 2025. He’ll officially be enshrined this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET. Even though he’s not hitting impossible shots on tour anymore, his legacy clearly isn’t just about the trophies. It’s about the legend himself.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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