Roger Federer has explained how his wife, Mirka, brought him back down to Earth when he was faced with his toughest tests in the world of tennis. With 20 singles Grand Slam titles to his name, from the outside looking in, it would appear that the Swiss legend has always held ice in his veins with regard to facing stiff competition.

However, the 44-year-old recently explained that his transition from junior to pro level was far from plain sailing, even pushing him to breaking point. Speaking with Tages-Anzeiger following the announcement of his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Federer explained: “The most difficult thing for me was the transition from juniors to the pros. At first it was super cool.

“Suddenly I was in the locker room with Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Tim Henman, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Carlos Moya and others. And I thought, ‘This is the best!’ But then everything got so serious. One guy wraps the grip tape around his racket with a grim expression, and you think, ‘Oh God, he’s intense.’

“Another walks past you without giving you a glance. And you think, ‘He wants to win at all costs!’ And yet, is it really that important? That phase was tough for me.

“When you travel a lot, lose often, and are as emotionally charged as I was, you think, ‘I didn’t read the fine print in the tennis contract. It’s not all fun and games.’ This seriousness got to me. The years from 18 to 20 or 21 were hard for me.”

Thankfully, Federer had an incredible support system around him – including his wife, Mirka – to help him through his most mentally challenging times. He added: “Not anymore. I had good perspective then, and I had Mirka and my team around me.

“We always had fun. When things got a bit too serious, we fooled around even more than usual. And then it was okay again.”

Both tennis players with glowing respective careers, Roger and Mirka met while representing Switzerland at the Olympics in Sydney of 2000. After nine years of dating, the two tied the knot in 2009, since welcoming two sets of identical twins.

It comes as Federer is set to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2026, four years after retiring at the Laver Cup at London’s O2 Arena and five years after his final official Wimbledon match. Speaking about the induction, Federer said: “It’s a tremendous honour to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and to stand alongside so many of the game’s great champions.

“Throughout my career, I’ve always valued the history of tennis and the example set by those who came before me. It was very special to receive the news at Swiss Tennis, surrounded by the next generation of players — the place where my own journey first began.

“To be recognised in this way by the sport and by my peers is deeply humbling. I look forward to visiting Newport next August to celebrate this special moment with the tennis community.”

Federer and the rest of the Class of 2026 will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island from August 27 to 29 next year.