By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, November 21, 2025
Photo: Rob Newell/CameraSport
At the height of his powers, Roger Federer can transform a tennis match into ballet with a ball.
One of tennis’ best shooters, Federer can make the ball bounce.
“I was just trying to play the ball and not the opponent,” Federer said after outplaying rival Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in the 2017 Australian Open final to capture his 18th Grand Slam title.
This week, the International Tennis Hall of Fame announced that Federer will co-chair the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 along with former French Open mixed doubles champion and award-winning broadcaster Mary Carillo.
Looking ahead to induction into the Hall of Fame, Federer took time to reflect on his illustrious career at a wide range interview with Simon Graf of Tages Anzeiger.
In the interview, Federer revealed that the most difficult period of his career was the beginning: from the age of 18 to about 21 when he was improving his game and facing the daunting pressure of facing his tennis heroes on the court and in the locker room. In those days, Federer felt stress like slam dancers crashing into his body.
“The hardest thing for me was the transition from juniors to professionals,” Federer said Simon Graf of the Tages Anzeiger. “At first it was great. Suddenly I was in the dressing room with Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Tim Henman, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Carlos Moya and others. And I thought: This is the best!
“But then it all got so serious. One guy wraps the grip tape around his racket with a grim expression, and you think: Oh my God, he’s intense! Another one walks past you without a glance. And you think: He wants to win at all costs! And yet: Is it really that important?”
The 1998 Wimbledon boys’ junior champion turned pro shortly before his 17th birthday in July 1998. Federer would take nearly three years to capture his first ATP singles crown. Before doing so, Federer partnered with former no. 1 for which he had previously served as top boy Martina Hestleto capture the 2001 Hopman Cup championship for Switzerland.
“Martina Hingis definitely helped me become the player I am today,” Federer once said. Months after that Hopman Cup championship, Federer finally broke through by capturing his first title at the 2001 Milan Indoors.
“That phase was difficult for me,” Federer said of his early days on the ATP Tour. “When you travel a lot, lose often and are as emotionally charged as I am, you think: I didn’t read the fine print in the tennis contract. It’s not all fun and games. That seriousness came to me. The years from 18 to 20 or 21 were difficult for me.”
In retrospect, Federer credited the support of wife Mirka, whom he began dating at the 2000 Sydney Olympics when they were both members of the Swiss team, for providing perspective and keeping him grounded during the early days of the struggle.
“I had a good perspective then, and I had Mirka and my team around me,” Federer said. “We always had fun. When things got a little too serious, we fooled around even more than usual. And then it was all right again.”
