Roger Federer became emotional at his Tennis Hall of Fame induction after an uncommon speech from his wife, Mirka, in which she reflected on their life together, the sacrifices they made and the time he was prepared to stop playing altogether.

The 20-time grand slam champion opened by joking about the standard she had set. “Oh man. This is very high level and a tough act to follow. “I don’t know if you have been practising secretly.”

As Federer continued, he started to choke up when speaking about his childhood idol, Stefan Edberg. But it was when he turned to his wife that he could no longer hold back the tears.

“Now the Mirka part. Oh gosh, this such a mess. “I need tissues and sunglasses, everything to protect me right now.”

Just before Federer spoke, Mirka had delivered a heartfelt tribute of her own, praising not only what he achieved in tennis but also who he is away from the court and at home with their children.

“Tennis was never what impressed me the most. The man behind it all is even more remarkable,” she said.

“He’s the most devoted father that our four children could ever ask for.”

Mirka also revealed that when she learned they were expecting their first twins, Myla and Charlene, Federer immediately offered to give up the sport.

“When I found out we were expecting twins, for the first time, I told Roger that my travelling days were probably over. “Without missing a beat, he said: ‘Then I won’t play anymore.’ He wasn’t being dramatic. He meant it. That’s who Roger is. His family comes first.

“Fortunately we found another solution and that involved babies, strollers, toys, books and eventually two sets of twins travelling all over the world with us.

“They know him as papa. The papa who read bedtime stories, played games with them, who ran their bath, who made them laugh, no matter how busy he was.

“Whether he won or lost, he always made time for them. I know him always as the kind husband, funny, thoughtful and endlessly supportive.”

Federer and Mirka met at the Sydney Olympics nine years before the birth of their twin daughters in July 2009. Their twin sons, Leo and Lenny, were born in 2014. All four children, Myla, Charlene, Leo and Lenny, were there for Federer’s induction ceremony.