Boris Becker on Roger Federer in Hall of Fame news: ‘You are the most important athlete of all time’ | ATP Tour
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Becker tells Federer in Hall of Fame news: ‘You’re the most important athlete of all time’
Stefan Edberg, Billie Jean King weigh in on Federer’s election
November 19, 2025
Gerald Maczka/Getty Images at the Laver Cup
Roger Federer and Boris Becker at the 2024 Laver Cup.
Written by ATP Staff
When Roger Federer learned he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, it was a major milestone. The lore he heard immediately after the incident made the moment even more special.
Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, idols of the Swiss growing up and both members of the ATP No. 1 Club, held a video call with Federer to express their congratulations.
“You really put tennis on a different map. Whenever you start winning, people who have nothing to do with tennis start to like tennis. It’s because of you,” Becker said. “So you are not only one of the best tennis players of all time, but the most important athlete of all time.”
Edberg has a special relationship with Federer, serving as his coach for two seasons.
“congratulations [on] Become a member of the Tennis Hall of Fame. “You really, really deserve it,” Edberg said. “You’ve had an incredible career and 20 Grand Slam titles speaks for itself.”
Other members of the International Tennis Hall of Fame also sent their well wishes to the 103-time Tour winner, including Billie Jean King and Federer’s compatriot Martina Hingis.
“You mean a lot to a lot of us,” King said. “You have so much courage, so much focus, so much intensity. I can see how much that means to you, just watching you bring out every aspect of your character.”
“When you’re on the court, everything always looks so perfect and easy. A lot of people don’t see all the sweat behind it because you make it look so easy,” Hingis said.
Federer will be officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame during the induction celebrations in Newport from August 27 to 29, 2026.
