ATP Tour

Becker to Federer on Hall of Fame news: 'You're the most important sportsman of all time'

It was a major milestone when Roger Federer learned of his election into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Legends he heard from in the immediate aftermath made the moment even more special.

Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, fellow ATP No. 1 Club members who were among the Swiss’ idols growing up, joined Federer on a video call to share their congratulations.

“You really put tennis on a different map. Whenever you started winning, people that had nothing to do with tennis liked tennis. It was because of you,” Becker said. “So you’re not only one of the best players in tennis of all time, you’re the most important sportsman of all time.”

Edberg shared a special relationship with Federer, serving as his coach for two seasons.

“Congratulations [on] being part of the Tennis Hall of Fame. You really, really deserve it,” Edberg said. “You’ve had an incredible career and 20 Grand Slam titles tells it all.”

Other members of the International Tennis Hall of Fame also shared their well wishes with the 103-time tour-level titlist, including Billie Jean King and Martina Hingis, Federer’s countrywoman.

“You meant so much to so many of us,” King said. “You had such guts, such focus, such intensity. I could see how much it meant to you and just watching you brought out every aspect of your character.”

Hingis said: “Everything always looked so perfect and easy when you were on court. Many people don’t see all the sweat that is behind it, because you kind of make it look so easy.”

Federer will be officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame during the Induction Celebration in Newport from 27-29 August 2026.