NEWPORT, R.I. -- Roger Federer was brought to tears numerous times during his induction speech at the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday.
As sunset crept in at Newport's grass horseshoe court at the entrance of the Hall, the 45-year-old Federer, dressed in a tan suit, strolled up to the stage for his speech, kissed and hugged his wife, Mirka, who had just introduced him, and realized what a challenge it was going to be.
"Oh man," were the first words from the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles. "This is very high level and a tough act to follow."
He joked: "I don't know if you have been practicing secretly" before praising his wife's presentation of the 274th Hall of Famer.
Federer was inducted along with Mary Carillo, a broadcaster and former player, who was presented by Hall of Famer Billie Jean King.
Federer, called the "Swiss Maestro" during the Hall's first red-carpet show, which began on center court about 90 minutes before the start of the induction ceremony, told the crowd that he "was a little stressed to be honest."
Roger Federer fought tears through much of his speech during his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Photo by Clive Brunskill/ITHF/Getty Images During his nearly 30-minute speech, Federer, who showed fluid movement and a quick approach to the net with a solid one-hand backhand that earned him a record 237 consecutive weeks as the world's No. 1 player in the ATP rankings, choked up a handful of times.
It began to get tough for him about halfway through, when he talked about his childhood hero, Stefan Edberg, when he said these are "happy tears."
Then he was brought to tears again when he spoke about his longtime coach Severin Luthi, before he wanted to thank Mirka for helping him on his journey.
"Now the Mirka part," he said, pausing before breaking into tears. "Oh gosh, this is such a mess."
He tried to joke, but the tears took over like a quick return at the net.
"I need tissues and sunglasses, everything to protect me right now," he told the crowd, fighting back more tears.
But, like rallying in winning one of his five consecutive U.S. Open titles from 2004 to 2008 or reaching 10 straight Slam finals, of which he won eight, Federer closed by thanking the ball kids and encouraged players to keep taking the game to new levels.