(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Roger Federer Headlines 2026 Tennis Hall of Fame Nominees
Roger Federer, one of the greatest players in tennis history, has been officially nominated for the International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The Swiss legend, who became the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles, leads a star-studded list that also includes Juan Martin del Potro and Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Federer’s Legendary Career
Federer transformed the sport with his elegant style, lightning-fast footwork, and all-court attacking game. Over his two-decade career, he captured 103 titles, recorded 1,251 match wins, and spent 237 consecutive weeks at World No. 1 — a record that still stands.
Highlights of his career include:
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20 Grand Slam titles (8 Wimbledon, 6 Australian Open, 5 US Open, 1 French Open)
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10 consecutive Grand Slam finals (2005–2007), winning 8
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Five straight US Open titles, a feat unmatched in the modern era
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2014 Davis Cup victory for Switzerland
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2008 Olympic doubles gold medal with Stan Wawrinka
Federer played his final match at Wimbledon in 2021 and officially retired in 2022 with a farewell doubles match alongside Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup.
Other Nominees: Del Potro & Kuznetsova
Joining Federer on the ballot are two former Grand Slam champions:
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Juan Martin del Potro: Winner of the 2009 US Open, where he famously defeated Federer in the final. Despite injuries, Del Potro reached a career-high World No. 3, won 22 titles, and helped Argentina capture the 2016 Davis Cup. He also earned an Olympic silver medal in Rio.
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Svetlana Kuznetsova: A two-time Grand Slam champion (2004 US Open, 2009 French Open) who also won 18 WTA singles titles and 16 doubles titles. She achieved career-high rankings of World No. 2 in singles and No. 3 in doubles, and played a key role in Russia’s Billie Jean King Cup triumphs.
The contributor category includes legendary tennis broadcaster Mary Carillo and longtime tennis administrator Marshall Happer.
Induction Results Coming in November
The final list of inductees for the 2026 Hall of Fame will be revealed in November. Federer is widely expected to be a first-ballot selection, cementing his legacy alongside tennis icons who shaped the history of the sport.
As Federer himself once said about his rivalry with Nadal and Djokovic:
“It’s wonderful to be part of that selective group. Everyone’s journey is unique, and that’s what makes tennis special.”
