Roger Federer, the legendary tennis icon with 20 Grand Slam titles to his name, will grace the hallowed halls of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, this summer. On June 9, 2024, the 42-year-old Swiss maestro will address the graduating class and receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.
The announcement was made via a captivating YouTube video featuring Federer clad in Dartmouth green, alongside President Sian Leah Beilock and groundskeeper Tommy Shea. “I am so excited and honored to be your Commencement speaker this year,” Federer exclaimed. “I hope I see you on the Big Green in June.”
President Beilock, an avowed Federer fan, expressed her admiration for the tennis great. “Roger Federer is undeniably one of the greatest athletes of all time, but it’s the evident joy that he always found on the court that stays with me, and that I think will resonate most with the Class of 2024.”
Federer’s connection to the American college scene has deepened this year. Earlier this month, he made a surprise appearance at Stanford University, where Nico Godsick, son of Federer’s longtime agent Tony Godsick and a Dartmouth alum, plays for the Cardinal.
Federer witnessed Stanford’s 7-0 victory over UNLV and joined the team for dinner. Nico Godsick ensured his teammates were aware of Federer’s presence beforehand. “I didn’t want them to be at break point, deuce point, first game, then look up and see Roger and then double-fault,” Godsick told SFGATE. “They were super excited and I don’t think it could have gone any better.”
Federer’s recent appearance in Palo Alto showcased his enduring brilliance on the court. His forehand remains as silky as ever on hard courts, leaving fans eager to witness his artistry on grass at Hanover’s Big Green.
