"Truly amazing" - Bianca Andreescu, Andre Agassi's ex-coach & James Blake moved by Roger Federer's stirring Dartmouth commencement address
Bianca Andreescu, Andre Agassi's ex-coach Brad Gilbert, and James Blake lauded Roger Federer's 2024 commencement address at Dartmouth College. The prestigious Ivy League research university awarded the former World No. 1 an honorary doctorate and Federer graced its campus in Hanover, New Hampshire, to deliver the commencement address.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner's commencement address began on a light note as he thanked the research university for the honor and also congratulated the graduates in attendance. He then moved on to sharing with them the lessons he learned during his illustrious tennis career.
Roger Federer's core message revolved around the importance of working hard and understanding that losses are a part of life that have to be experienced and overcome.
"I’m here to tell you... from the other side of graduation... that leaving a familiar world behind and finding new ones is incredibly, deeply, wonderfully exciting. So there, Dartmouth, are your tennis lessons for the day. Effortless is a myth. It’s only a point. Life is bigger than the court," Federer said at one point during the speech.
Bianca Andreescu, a former WTA World No. 4, lauded Federer's commencement address on X (formerly Twitter):
"Wow sooooo goooood!!!"
Andre Agassi's ex-coach Brad Gilbert, who is currently serving as WTA World No. 2 Coco Gauff's coach, also reacted to Federer's stirring address on X.
"Truly amazing speech from @rogerfederer love the point free yourself from last point next point, the fact he stated about winning only 54% of points in career, great players lose a lot of points resilience in tennis and life are so crucial positive attitude wins out," Gilbert wrote.
Former ATP World No. 4 James Blake chimed in with his reaction as well.
"Damn, he’s gotta be good at this too. Just kidding. This guy is so much more than an athlete," Blake wrote on X.
"I was playing for history" - Roger Federer revisited his Wimbledon 2008 final against Rafael Nadal during Dartmouth address
The final of the 2008 Wimbledon Championships between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in tennis history. At the time, the Swiss was aiming to win the grass court Major for the sixth straight year.
However, Nadal came out on top with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7 win. It marked the Spaniard's maiden Wimbledon title. It was also a statement victory for Nadal as up until that point, many doubted him over his ability to play on grass despite his already-formidable reputation on clay.
During Federer's Dartmouth address, the Swiss reflected on his loss to the Spaniard, and how it "was a big deal" for him.
"Some call it the greatest match of all time... all respect to Rafa, but I think it would've been way, way better if I had won. Losing at Wimbledon was a big deal. Because winning Wimbledon was everything... In 2008, I was going for a record six consecutive titles, I was playing for history," Federer said.
The former World No. 1 would go on to win three more Wimbledon titles (2009, 2012, 2017), cementing himself as the most trophy-laden men's singles player at the tournament.