Olympic medallist Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj on Wednesday became the first men from Asia to be inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Journalist and writer Richard Evans has also been chosen.
Paes, a former world No.1 in doubles with 18 grand glam titles (eight doubles and 10 mixed doubles), has been selected in the player category, while Amritraj and UK’s Evans are inductees in the contributor category, which is considered for election every two years.
“I am honoured to be inducted to the Hall of Fame and join the legends of our sport,” Paes told The Telegraph. “This honour is not just for me but for all Indians. Also being the first Asian player, that means a lot.”
He added: “It has been my life’s honour to play for my country for over three decades in a sport that has given and taught me everything.
“Receiving this honour culminates a professional journey of a lifetime, standing on the shoulders of greats and sets the tone for other youngsters in Asia and around the world.”
Paes is tied with his former mixed doubles partner, Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova, for the most mixed doubles major titles in history. She too has 10 to her name.
He and another Hall of Famer Martina Hingis are one of only two mixed doubles teams in the Open Era to complete a career grand slam together.
Paes spent 462 weeks inside the ATP doubles top 10, including 37 weeks at No. 1, and won 55 doubles titles on tour.
Paes has represented India for 30 years, winning a Davis Cup record 45 doubles rubbers during his career.
He competed in a record seven consecutive Olympic Games, the most in tennis history, and is India’s only Olympic medallist in tennis, capturing the bronze medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
The contributor category, in which Amritraj has been inducted, recognises true pioneers, visionary leaders, or individuals/groups who have made a transcendent impact on the sport.
The Class of 2024 will be officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday in Newport, Rhode Island.
Paes, Amritraj and Evans will join an elite group of 264 inductees from 27 nations, with India set to become the 28th nation represented in the Hall of Fame.
“I am thrilled to congratulate Leander Paes, Vijay Amritraj, and Richard Evans on their election to the International Tennis Hall of Fame,” Kim Clijsters, Honorary President of ITHF and Class of 2017 Hall of Famer said.
“These three legends have served as trailblazers in their impact on tennis, and in spreading the sport worldwide. We are excited to celebrate the Class of 2024 in the coming year.”
Earlier this year, fans around the globe cast their ballots and elected Paes as the winner of the Hall of Fame’s annual Fan Vote for induction.
China’s Li Na, who has won two women’s singles grand slam title, became the first-ever Asian to be elected to the Hall of Fame in 2019.
