"My incredible wife Mirka" - Roger Federer pays heartfelt tribute to wife for 'making every joy brighter', honors parents & children for their support

Roger Federer recently attributed his success as a tennis player to his wife, his children, and his parents while giving his commencement address for the Class of 2024 at Dartmouth College. The Swiss maestro also compared sports with life, claiming that athletes need their support circle to get the best out of themselves.

Federer won 20 Grand Slam tournaments during his illustrious career — the third-highest Majors tally for a male player after Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Following his retirement in 2022, the 42-year-old has made sporadic public appearances, choosing to focus on his family and business ventures.

That said, Roger Federer set some time aside from his busy schedule to visit Dartmouth College this week as he received an honorary degree. Speaking to this year's graduates, the Swiss expressed gratitude towards the key figures in his tennis career both on and off the court.

Furthermore, he stated that not unlike tennis, how far one goes in life also depends on their environment.

"Tennis has given me so many memories but my off-court experiences are the ones I carry forward just as much. The places I've gotten to travel, the platform that lets me give back, and most of all, the people I've met along the way. Tennis, like life, is a team sport," Roger Federer said during the speech.

"Yes, you stand alone on your side of the net, but success depends on your team. Your coaches, your teammates, even your rivals, all these influences help you to make you who you are," he added.

Federer then thanked his parents, Robert and Lynette, his wife, Mirka, and his four children for supporting him during his career.

"I learned this way of thinking from my parents. They always supported me, always encouraged me, always understood what I wanted and needed to be," he added. "My family is a team, also feel very lucky my incredible wife Mirka, who makes every joy in my life even brighter, and our four amazing children Myla, Charlene, Leo and Lenny are here with me today. And more important, we are here for each other every day."

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Roger Federer on marrying his wife Mirka: "It was the right thing to do"

Mirka and son Lenny watch the Swiss maestro's match at Australian Open 2020

Roger Federer tied the knot with former WTA player Mirka Vavrinec in April 2009 in a small ceremony in Riehen, a municipality located near his hometown of Basel. The couple welcomed their twin daughters, Myla and Charlene, a few weeks later.

Five years later, the family was blessed with twin sons, Leo and Lenny. The 20-time Major winner, on his part, looked back fondly on his marriage to Mirka in a media interaction in 2021.

"It was the right thing to do, I was very happy. We had a wonderful wedding, I would love to do it again. It felt really good," the Swiss said in 2021. "It meant so much to me in a positive way."