Mirka Federer, wife of Roger Federer, presented him for International Tennis Hall of Fame induction.
She admitted not being comfortable being in front of the microphone but was engaging, funny, and wonderful.
Mrs. Federer shared a funny story of Andy Roddick bemoaning losing a final to Roger after his girlfirend Mirka, who was a tennis player in her early years, warmed him up for the event. She also talked about how they met at the 2000 Sydney Olympics when she was 21 and he was 18.
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Federer was in tears listening to his wifeRoger and his parents broke down in tears listening to Mirka’s words.
She talked about how much better Roger was as a man than as a tennis player.
Mar 10, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Roger Federer and Mirka Federer at the 96th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Kevork Djansezian-USA TODAY
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Federer acknowledged his family, the fans, and the legends who were in attendance.
He admitted it was difficult to put everything he was feeling into words.
Roger talked about his start as a ball boy at Swiss Indoors. He thanked the ball kids who were at his matches.
His love affair with tennis began at age 3 when he picked up his dad’s wooden racquet which was very heavy, forcing him to play with a two-handed forehand and backhand.
Roger told the crowd “his mom made it happen.” She worked multiple jobs and supported his career from the start. He also thanked Robbie Federer, his father, “the real RF.”
He always thought of himself as a tennis player, loved the aspect of play in it. Federer thanked his coaches and broke down in tears listing them name by name.
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