(Video) Roger Federer Becomes the Honorary Starter for the 24 Hours of Le Mans

20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer was last seen at the Rafael Nadal tribute ceremony at Roland Garros.

(Video) Roger Federer Becomes the Honorary Starter for the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Roger Federer was the honorary starter at 24 Hours of Le Mans (Via The Tennis Letter)

Roger Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam champion, had the honor of waving the French flag to officially start the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The race began with 62 cars on the grid, featuring a strong front row led by Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA.

Cadillac, still chasing its first Le Mans win, began the race with two cars at the front and held an early lead alongside Porsche. Both manufacturers looked strong in the opening stages of the endurance classic.

BMW and Alpine were also tipped to compete for top positions in the race. However, the recent dominance at Le Mans has been shared by Ferrari and Toyota, who have taken all titles over the past seven years.

Ferrari entered the event after winning the first three rounds of the WEC season in Losail, Imola, and Spa. Despite their recent success, Ferrari’s official entries only managed to qualify in seventh and 11th place. Peugeot and Aston Martin were not expected to be among the contenders for the top spot.

Roger Federer’s company suffers major setback

Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer’s management agency, Team8, has taken another hit with Ben Shelton parting ways with the firm. This marks the second major exit in recent months, following Coco Gauff’s departure in April. Team8, co-founded by Federer and agent Tony Godsick in 2013, has now lost two rising American tennis stars in quick succession.

Roger Federer (3)
Roger Federer (Image via We Are Tennis)

Shelton has now signed with WME, a major talent agency that also represents tennis stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Serena Williams, and Iga Swiatek. Gauff, meanwhile, has launched her own venture, Coco Gauff Enterprises, backed by WME. Her initiative will focus on business and philanthropic projects outside of tennis.

These exits pose a challenge for Team8, especially with Wimbledon approaching. Despite their departure from Team8, both Gauff and Shelton spoke positively about their time with Federer’s agency. Shelton also retains a sponsorship with On Running, a brand Federer is invested in.

Even though Federer retired nearly three years ago, his presence in tennis remains strong. However, the recent changes highlight the competitive landscape in athlete management and the growing desire among athletes to pursue broader business opportunities.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner etch their names alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz have entered elite territory in men’s tennis, drawing comparisons to legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Their marathon battle in the 2025 French Open final, lasting 5 hours and 29 minutes, is now the longest in Roland Garros history. Sinner took the first two sets, but Alcaraz fought back to win in five, capturing his fifth Grand Slam title.

Carlos Alcaraz Jannik Sinner Roger Federer Rafael Nadal
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (via The Tennis Letter)

Their rivalry is not defined by one match alone. The two have now combined to win six straight Grand Slam titles. Sinner has claimed three—the Australian Open 2024, Wimbledon 2024, and the Australian Open 2025. Alcaraz matched him with the US Open 2024, Wimbledon 2025, and French Open 2025. This shared run of dominance puts them in the company of past great pairings.

Federer and Nadal previously won eleven straight majors from 2005 to 2007, setting a historic benchmark. Alcaraz and Sinner’s current streak equals or surpasses other legendary streaks, such as those of Nadal and Djokovic (nine consecutive), and Federer and Nadal’s two six-Slam runs. These achievements underscore the strength of their emerging duopoly.

At just 22 and 23 years old, Alcaraz and Sinner are shaping a new era. Their styles — Alcaraz’s flair and Sinner’s precision — provide consistent excitement and balance. With no serious rival yet to disrupt their streak, the tennis world may be witnessing the birth of another legendary rivalry, echoing the golden age of Federer and Nadal.

Also Read: “Not One Bathroom Break,” John McEnroe’s Brother in Awe of Epic French Open Final Between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner