Key Takeaways
- Roger Federer was formally inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.
- The ballot for the Class of 2027 includes Ashleigh Barty, Juan Martín del Potro, and Svetlana Kuznetsova in the Player Category.
- Shingo Kunieda has been nominated in the Wheelchair Tennis Category as global fan voting commences.
Federer enshrined in Newport ceremony
The International Tennis Hall of Fame has formally welcomed 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer during an induction event in Newport, Rhode Island. The evening featured tributes looking back at his 25-year career, including an introductory speech by his wife, Mirka.
Addressing former champions and supporters, Federer spoke about his relationship with the sport. “Tennis is a beautiful and complex thing. For me, it has been everything,” Federer stated. He reflected on his role connecting different eras, explaining that he was able to compete against predecessors such as Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, peers including Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, and Juan Carlos Ferrero, and long-time rivals Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray. Federer also encouraged future athletes to protect the sport’s camaraderie and character amid growing commercial growth.
Nominees unveiled for Class of 2027
Following Federer’s ceremony, the Hall of Fame announced the candidate list for its Class of 2027, launching the international fan voting process. The nominees span both the Player Category and the Wheelchair Tennis Category.
| Nominee | Category |
|---|---|
| Ashleigh Barty | Player Category |
| Svetlana Kuznetsova | Player Category |
| Juan Martín del Potro | Player Category |
| Shingo Kunieda | Wheelchair Tennis Category |
Ashleigh Barty earned a spot on the ballot after winning three Grand Slam tournaments across different surfaces and stepping away from professional competition as the world’s top-ranked player. Juan Martín del Potro, the 2009 US Open winner who endured multiple wrist and knee operations, is also nominated alongside two-time major singles winner Svetlana Kuznetsova. Wheelchair tennis competitor Shingo Kunieda completes the newly revealed candidate roster.
