By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, November 21, 2025
Photo Credit: Rob Newell / Camerasport
At the height of his power, Roger Ferrer it can turn a tennis match into a ballet with a ball.
One of tennis’ top shooters, Federer can do the ball dance.
“I was just trying to play the ball and not the opponent,” Federer said after ousting Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 3-1, 3-6, 6-3 at the Australian Open to claim his 187th title.
This week, the international tennis hall of fame announced that Federer will be inducted into the FRAME Hall of Fame for the 2026 class alongside the mixed martial artist Cunches and struggling salesperson Mary Carillo.
Looking ahead to his hall of fame, Federer took time to reflect on his illustrious career from a wide angle. Interview with Simon Graf of Tager Anzeiger.
In the interview, Federer shared the most difficult period of his career was the beginning: From the age of 18 to 21 when he faced his pressure to face his heroes in Tennis on the court and in the fallen room. During those days, Federer realized that the pressure like the molded dancers entered his body.
“The hardest thing for me was the transition from juniors,” Federer said Simon Graf Of Teages Anzeiger. “At first it was very cool. Suddenly I’m in the locker room with Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Thimu Henman, Jevgeny Kafelnikov, Carlos Moya and other greats!
“But then it all got worse. One person who wraps duct tape around his racket with his speech, and thinks: You think: the other one is ahead!
The 1998 Wimbledon Boys’ Champion made his pro career before his 17th birthday in July 1998. It will take Federer almost three years to hold the maiden ATP crown. Before he did it, Federer partnered with former No. 1 You once served as a football boy, Martina Hingesphotographing the 2001 Swiss hopman dash competition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx6ksxsofo
“Martina Hingis definitely helped me become the player I am today,” Federer once said. Months after that Hopman Cup tournament, Federer finally broke through by capturing his first title in Milan in 2001.
“That stage was difficult for me,” Federer said of his early days on the ATP tour. “When you travel a lot, you lose a lot, and you are guilty of feeling like I was, you think: YOU DON’T WANT TO RESPOND TO THE WATER.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvtjcokdj4
In recovery, Federer said that the support of his wife Mira, who started dating in the 2000 Olympics when both were members of the Swiss team, kept him in the early days of the struggle.
“I had a good idea at the time, and I had Mirka and my team around me,” Federer said. “We were always having fun. When things got too attention-grabbing, we fooled ourselves more than usual. And then it went away again.”
