Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn has offered one of the most personal tributes of the weekend after Roger Federer was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Vonn, a longtime friend of the Swiss tennis great, congratulated Federer on the honor and described him as the competitor she had always wanted to emulate.
“There are many athletes that I admire, respect and look up to but Roger was the athlete I aspired to be,” Vonn said. “Classy, kind, fearless, a true competitor and always a true sportsman. It’s been a privilege to call him a friend over the years as well as Mirka and the whole family.”
The 20-time Grand Slam champion was inducted on Saturday evening in Newport, Rhode Island, in a ceremony that also honored broadcaster Mary Carillo. Federer was introduced by his wife, Mirka Federer, whose speech Vonn singled out as the highlight of the night.
“I could not have imagined a better way to be inducted than through the eloquent words of his wife, Mirka,” Vonn said. “The night was emotional and what a family can do when they support each other.”
She added that Federer’s impact extends far beyond the court. “His legacy is far beyond tennis and will last forever. Congratulations to you Rog, your family and entire team.”
Vonn attended the multi-day celebration in Newport, which included exhibition matches on Friday featuring Federer, tennis legends and Vonn herself. Photographs from the weekend show the skiing star among the guests at the star-studded event, which also drew Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg and other former world No. 1s.
The friendship between Vonn and Federer dates back more than a decade. The American downhill champion has long cited Federer’s sportsmanship, longevity and off-court character as inspiration, especially during her own battles with injury and her later return to competition. The two have previously shared time on the slopes and have spoken publicly about their mutual respect.
Federer, 45, retired in 2022 after a career that included eight Wimbledon titles, 103 tour-level trophies and 310 weeks as world No. 1. In his own emotional acceptance speech, he described the induction as one of the greatest honors of his life and said fame was never the goal.
Vonn’s message framed the weekend less as a tennis milestone and more as a portrait of the qualities she believes define lasting greatness: grace under pressure, family support, and a standard of conduct that outlasts records.
For a skier who has spent her career chasing excellence on the mountain, the tribute was straightforward. The athlete she wanted to become, she said, was already in the Hall of Fame.
