Federer, del Potro, Kuznetsova Lead Hall of Fame Nominees for Class of 2026 – Tennis Now

The Player Category recognizes ATP and WTA players who have achieved a distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level:

Roger Federer is one of only eight men in tennis history to achieve a career Grand Slam in singles. He captured his first major title at age 21 at Wimbledon in 2003, going on to become the first male player in tennis history to win 20 major singles titles. Federer then ascended to the world No. 1 ranking for a record 237 consecutive weeks, ultimately holding that spot for 310 total weeks through his career. He finished his career with 103 singles titles, second most in the Open Era, and was voted to receive the ATP’s Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award 13 times. Additionally, Federer was the ATP Fan Favorite for a record 19 consecutive years, from 2003 to 2021. Representing Switzerland, Federer led his country to the Davis Cup title in 2014 and captured Olympic gold in doubles alongside Stan Wawrinka at the 2008 Beijing Games. As part of Team Europe, Federer captured three-straight Laver Cup titles from 2017 through 2019.

Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina is the 2009 US Open men’s singles champion, one of 22 titles captured over the course of his career. In 2008, while still a teenager, del Potro earned four ATP singles titles, along the way compiling a 23-match winning streak. In 2009, del Potro reached his first Grand Slam final, and secured a five-set victory at the US Open. He finished the year as the youngest player in the top 10 ranking. In 2016, del Potro led Argentina to its first Davis Cup title and also earned a silver medal in the Olympic singles competition.

Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia is a four-time major champion, with two apiece in singles and doubles. She won singles titles at the 2004 US Open and 2009 Roland-Garros, and doubles titles at the 2005 and 2012 Australian Opens. She reached an additional two major finals in both disciplines. During her 15-year career, she won 18 WTA singles titles and 16 in doubles and reached career high rankings of No. 2 in singles and No. 3 in doubles. In nine years of representing Russia, Kuznetsova and her teams captured three Bille Jean King Cup titles. 

The Contributor Category is considered for Hall of Fame induction every two years, and recognizes true pioneers, visionary leaders, or individuals / groups who have made a transcendent impact on the sport:

Mary Carillo began her groundbreaking broadcasting career in the early 1980s after retiring from her playing career on the WTA Tour. Starting as an analyst for USA Network, she became the first woman to regularly commentate on tennis, including men’s matches. Her success paved the way for many other women to enter the field and cover the sport on a regular basis. Throughout her career, Carillo has covered hundreds of tennis events for major networks like ESPN and NBC, earning multiple awards, including WTA’s “Broadcaster of the Year.” Beyond tennis, she has also covered 16 Olympic Games and served as a correspondent for HBO’s “Real Sports,” earning six Emmy® Awards and three Peabody Awards before her induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2018.

Marshall Happer was an impactful leader in the early years of men’s professional tennis, responsible for developing the organizational fundamentals that enabled the sport’s growth and future success. In 1974, the independent Men’s Tennis Council (MTC), consisting of three ITF Representatives, three ATP Representatives, and three Tournament Representatives was created as the governing body for men’s tennis. Between 1974 and 1981, the MTC had no administration and no way to enforce its own rules. In 1981, Happer was hired to provide a solution, developing the first professional administration for the men’s tennis. During his tenure, Happer modernized and enforced the Rules and Codes of Conduct to prevent player misconduct, created an international certification for officials, and hired the first full-time professional officials. Additionally, the MTC provided press information and press liaisons to all tournaments, commenced drug testing, and founded the player pension fund. In 1990, the MTC was dissolved when the Grand Slams became independent, and the ATP Tour began. Both continued to utilize Happer’s MTC rules for administration. After the MTC, Happer served as Executive Director of the USTA for five years, during which, in addition for being responsible for the operation of the USTA, the US Open and the USTA Davis Cup, he supervised the negotiations for and signed the new 99-year lease for the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and the construction contract for the new Arthur Ashe Stadium.