Roger Federer brought to tears during his induction into International Tennis Hall of Fame

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — 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 ever 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 Billy 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.”

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, chocked 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 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 2004-08 or reaching 10 straight Slam finals, which he won eight, Federer closed by thanking the ball boys and encouraged players to keep taking the game new levels.

Federer, who celebrated his 45th birthday three weeks ago, won eight Wimbledon titles and is only one of eight men with a career Grand Slam. He captured six Australian Opens and one French Open, in 2009.

“I’m thrilled to have made the journey here,” he said. “It’s amazing to see yourself in a place like this. To immerse yourself in the history of the sport means a lot to me.”

Carillo, inducted as a contributor, is a member of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

King said: “She has earned her spot in sports journalism and she has earned her spot in Newport.”

Carillo, 69, was touched standing in front of a handful of Hall of Famers.

“To walk through these gates here in the company of you people, that was beyond my dreams,” she said.

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

Roger Federer is embraced by his wife Mirka during his induction ceremony at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Newport, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Roger Federer thanks the audience during his induction ceremony at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Newport, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Roger Federer embraces Mary Carillo, who was honored as a broadcast contributor, during the induction ceremony at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Newport, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Roger Federer tries to hold back his tears during his induction ceremony at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Newport, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tyson Bagent connected with Zavion Thomas for a 97-yard touchdown on Chicago's first offensive play and the Bears wrapped up the preseason Saturday night with a 24-15 win over the Tennessee Titans in a battle of mostly backups.

With Caleb Williams watching from the sideline, Bagent completed his first seven passes for 155 yards. He also tossed a 2-yard TD pass to Maurice Alexander in the second quarter, helping Chicago (2-1) convert its first four fourth downs.

Coach Robert Saleh had talked of building reps for his starters through the preseason games for his Titans (2-1). After a joint practice against each preseason opponent, all NFC playoff teams, Saleh started essentially backups with Cam Ward watching Will Levis start in a final display before the NFL cut deadline Sunday.

Bagent, undrafted out of Division II, showed again why the Bears signed him to a two-year extension in August 2025 to back up Williams. Bagent was 16 of 17 for 208 yards with two TDs before leaving with a 14-9 halftime lead.

Tennessee did start a trio of defensive regulars in end Jacob Martin, linebacker Cedric Gray and nickel cornerback Marcus Harris. Bagent had no problem beating the rest of the Titans’ backup secondary featuring Keydrain Calligan and Micah Robinson.

Martin recovered a fumble credited to Bagent off a botched handoff on the second drive, prompting a celebration joined by All-Pro tackle Jeffery Simmons, end Jermaine Johnson II and rookie end Keldric Faulk who watched from the sideline.

Levis was 14 of 22 for 143 yards with a fumble he recovered off a botched handoff. The 33rd overall pick in the 2023 draft did lead the Titans to a trio of field goals, the last as time expired.

Case Keenum took over in the third quarter for Chicago. Roschon Johnson ran for a 3-yard TD with Cairo Santos adding a field goal to pad the lead to 24-9. Rookie QB Miller Moss, undrafted out of Louisville, played the fourth quarter for Chicago.

Hendon Hooker took over for Levis after halftime. Mitch Trubisky, signed in March to back up Ward, stayed on the sideline along with the Titans' starting quarterback.

Tennessee's lone TD came on a 9-yard run by D'Ernest Johnson with 3:50 left. The 2-point conversion failed.

Slye finished the preseason with 11 field goals, including becoming the first NFL player since the start of the 2017 preseason to make at least four in consecutive exhibitions. He added two more in the first half against the Bears and finished by making all five from 50 yards out or longer.

By halftime, he had 11 field goals for the most by any player in a preseason since Graham Gano had 13 in 2016 for Carolina.

Bears: Open the season Sept. 13 at Carolina.

Titans: Host Saleh's old team the New York Jets on Sept. 13.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Chicago Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas catches a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III looks on as teammates warm up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward, left, and running back Tony Pollard look on as teammates warm up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Khalen Saunders pauses during a moment of silence for Dolly Parton prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent attempts a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)