"My most unexpected victory ever" - 'Dr. Roger Federer' delighted to receive honorary degree from Ivy League's Dartmouth University

Roger Federer was at his usual witty best while delivering a graduation speech to Dartmouth's class of 2024. The Swiss was also honored with a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, which delighted him.

The 42-year-old retired from tennis at the end of the Laver Cup in 2022 and has since, taken up other interests. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he has won 20 Grand Slams, held the World No. 1 ranking for 310 weeks, and received many other accolades throughout his career.

However, before giving his graduation speech to Dartmouth's class of 2024, Federer shared his excitement about getting the opportunity to share their special day and also mentioned that it was only the second time in his entire life that he was entering a college campus.

"Thank you, everybody, it's great to see you. And hello, class of 2024. This is so exciting," Federer said.

"It's an incredible feeling to be here with you, and I am so excited to join you today. Really, you have no idea how excited I am. Keep in mind, this is literally only the second time I've ever set foot on a college campus. Second time ever," he added.

The former World No. 1 quipped that he was getting a doctorate degree by just coming to give a speech. He said that he was delighted to go home as 'Dr. Roger' and called this his most unexpected victory ever.

"But for some reason, you are giving me a doctorate degree. I just came here to give a speech but I get to go home as Dr. Roger. That's a pretty nice bonus. So, Dr. Roger, this has to be my most unexpected victory ever, thank you," the 42-year-old said.

In addition, Federer expressed his gratitude to Dartmouth for giving him the chance to give the speech and made a joke about trying not to "choke"—a lot of fans online believe that the Swiss would let the nerves get to him during big moments. He also mentioned how wasn't comfortable in the graduation robes due to wearing shorts almost every day for almost 35 years.

"Thank you for this. I'm incredibly grateful, and I'll try my best not to choke. I'm a little bit outside my comfort zone today. This is not my usual scene and these are not my usual clothes. Do you dress like this every day at Dartmouth? The robe is hard to move in. Keep in mind, I've worn shorts almost every day for the last 35 years," he stated.

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"As you might have heard, grass is my favorite surface. Big green, it must be destiny" - Roger Federer

The Swiss at Wimbledon

Roger Federer said that giving speeches wasn't his forte but reminisced about an important speech he delivered when he joined the Swiss national team at the age of 17. He was so nervous that he couldn't muster up the courage to utter more than four words, which were 'Happy to be here'.

"I'm not a person who gives a lot of speeches like this, maybe the worst, but an important speech was when I started on the Swiss National team. I was only 17 years old, and I was so nervous. I couldn't even say more than four words. ‘Happy to be here’," he said.

He admitted that he was still nervous but promised the students that he would give them more than four words. He quipped how he was happy to be on the green (Dartmouth is also called the Big Green), stating that him being here must be destiny since grass was his favorite surface.

"Well, here we are, 25 years later, and I still feel a little nervous, but I've got a lot more than four words to say to you, starting with I'm happy to be here. Happy to be here with you here on the green," he stated.

"As you might have heard, grass is my favorite surface. Big green, it must be destiny," Federer added.

Federer holds the record for the most Wimbledon championship wins with 8 titles to his name. He is followed by Novak Djokovic and Pete Sampras, who have both won SW19 on 7 occasions.