NEWPORT, R.I. -- Roger Federer was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, delivering an emotional nearly 30-minute speech that brought him to tears multiple times. The 45-year-old, dressed in a tan suit, kissed and hugged his wife Mirka after she introduced him, joking about the challenge of following her presentation. "Oh man," he said, "This is very high level and a tough act to follow."

Federer, the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles, choked up while honoring his childhood hero Stefan Edberg, longtime coach Severin Luthi, and Mirka, whom he called "the Mirka part" with visible emotion. "I need tissues and sunglasses," he joked through tears.

Also inducted was broadcaster and former player Mary Carillo, presented by Hall of Famer Billie Jean King. Carillo, 69, expressed gratitude, saying, "To walk through these gates here in the company of you people, that was beyond my dreams."

Federer closed by thanking ball kids and encouraging players to elevate the game. He won eight Wimbledon titles, six Australian Opens, and one French Open in 2009, holding the record for 237 consecutive weeks as world No. 1.