​Sep 3, 2024; Flushing, NY, USA; Roger Federer watches Aryna Sabalenka of Russia playing Qinwen Zheng of China on day nine of the U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. © Mike Frey-Imagn ImagesRoger Federer’s wife, Mirka Federer, delivered a deeply moving tribute to her husband before introducing the Swiss legend as the latest inductee into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Mirka became visibly emotional when recounting Federer’s life beyond tennis.On Saturday, Newport, Rhode Island, hosted the International Tennis Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where a star-studded group gathered to celebrate a new class of legends. Among the names was Roger Federer, who is widely considered one of the most celebrated athletes of this generation.Federer’s wife, Mirka Federer, took to the podium to remind the world why her husband deserved to be immortalized in the Hall of Fame. While acknowledging his title victories and rivalries, Mirka fought back tears while giving a glimpse into the other side of Federer, away from the tennis court that people have rarely seen.“SO MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD KNOW ROGER AS ONE OF THE GREATEST TENNIS PLAYERS WHO EVER LIVED. THEY KNOW THE TITLES, THE RECORDS, THE ELEGANCE, THE RIVALRIES, THE VICTORIES, THE MOMENTS THAT BECAME PART OF TENNIS HISTORY. AND THOSE OF US WHO KNOW ROGER BEST KNOW SOMETHING EVEN BETTER.”“THE TROPHIES AND RECORDS ARE EXTRAORDINARY, BUT THEY ARE ONLY PART OF HIS LEGACY. WHAT MAKES ME PROUDEST ISN’T WHAT ROGER ACCOMPLISHED WHEN THE WORLD WAS WATCHING. IT’S WHO HE IS WHEN NOBODY IS WATCHING.”She continued:“ROGER. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR STAYING PERSISTENT. ALL THOSE YEARS AGO IN SYDNEY. THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING OUR FAMILY EVERY SINGLE DAY.”Roger Federer Delivers Heartfelt Hall of Fame SpeechAfter Mirka’s emotional speech, Roger Federer walked onto the stage to a thunderous standing ovation, embraced Mirka, and stood still, trying to collect himself before stepping up to the microphone to deliver a heartfelt thank you.“It’s amazing to see yourself in a place like this, to walk through the Hall of Fame, to immerse myself in the history of this sport. That means everything to me. To read the stories of my greatest heroes and to realise, I mean to truly realise for the first time, that I have a place here. This is one of the greatest honours of my life.”Praising his wife, Mirka, Federer said:“Mirka’s the person who showed me how to get more focused about tennis, and take joy in everything else. A wonderful mother to our four kids, who makes the impossible happen in all our lives. She and I grab each other’s hands, and we run through walls. Thank you.”Roger Federer has reached 31 Grand Slam singles finals and won 20 of them. The former world No. 1 holds the men’s record for eight Wimbledon singles titles, five of which came consecutively from 2003 to 2007.Read more:“John McEnroe Is Still Incredible Even At 67” – Fans