Stylists Federer & Carillo Shine Brightly at Courting Fashion presented by Chubb
by Joel Drucker, Historian-at-large
“I feel it came very naturally,” incoming International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) inductee Roger Federer told Tennis Channel’s Brett Haber Thursday night in front of nearly 900 tennis legends, notables, and aficionados gathered at Marble House in Newport.
In this case, though, the Swiss legend wasn’t talking about how he’d wielded his racquet. The subject was fashion, Federer one of two guests of honor at the ITHF’s annual Courting Fashion presented by Chubb event – a dazzling display of style and history spanning from the days of Rosie Casals and Billie Jean King in the ‘70s, all the way through to Aryna Sabalenka and ’26 Roland-Garros champion Mirra Andreeva.
Naturally, the lobby exhibit also included elegant photos of Federer taken at the 2020 Australian Open and at Wimbledon in 2009. Reflecting with Haber on a remarkable career that saw him earn 20 Grand Slam singles titles, Federer said, “Looking back now, it’s still disbelief.”
Following Federer, there came a second stylish class of ’26 inductee, broadcast journalism legend Mary Carillo. Quickly, Carillo segued into her sweet spot: praise for others, in this case those that have shaped her journey both on and off the court. Billie Jean King, said Carillo, “Has been my hero forever.” Carillo subsequently tipped her hat towards another broadcasting pioneer, Lesley Visser, noting that “others have come before me.”
“Mary is singular,” said Visser. “To know her is to love her.” Visser is part of Carillo’s special “Girls Nite” group of friends comprised of TV producers-directors Marcy Kempner, Catherine Newman, Suzanne Smith, and veteran announcer Andrea Joyce – each of whom worked with Carillo during her 20+ years covering the US Open for CBS. Others present at the Marble House Thursday evening: Carillo’s sister Gina, brother Charlie, daughter Rachel, and four-month-old grandson, Arjuan. “Mary, we love you,” said ITHF CEO Dan Faber. “You are amazing.”
In the spirit of the ITHF mission to promote tennis history, Federer and Carillo were part of a remarkable gathering of inductees, a range of styles and skills that included gritty baseliners Tracy Austin, Lleyton Hewitt, and Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario; aggressors Rosie Casals, Stefan Edberg, and Marat Safin; doubles wizards Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Leander Paes, and Gigi Fernandez; the exceptionally versatile Mats Wilander; wheelchair champions Monique Kalkman, Brad Parks, and Chantal Vandierendonck; journalists Richard Evans and Steve Flink; and super-agent Donald Dell.
Carillo is quite familiar with Newport, including introducing famed coach Nick Bollettieri when he was inducted in 2014. “I love all that the Hall of Fame stands for,” she said.
For Federer, though, 2026 marks his first time in Newport. “This place is wonderful,” he said. Asked how he felt about the induction speech he’ll be making Saturday evening, Federer said, “The tenseness is back . . . but it’s all good.”
Though over the course of its 134-year history, Marble House has been the venue for many notable moments and feasts – including this event’s paella that contained 150 shrimp -- it’s hard to imagine anything more stylish and engaging than the sight of Federer and Carillo, now less than 48 hours away from receiving tennis’ highest honor.
