These two Indian players become first Asian men to be inducted in International Tennis Hall of Fame

Mumbai: Two Indian tennis players were inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Former doubles world No. 1 Leander Paes and broadcaster and promoter Vijay Amritraj were inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. They have  become the first Asian men to be get this honour.  Besides the duo, renowned journalist and writer Richard Evans have also been elected in the Ultimate Honour in Tennis.

Leander Paes  is an 18-time Grand Slam champion in doubles and mixed doubles. With 8 doubles Grand Slam titles and 10 in mixed doubles, he is one of only 3 men in tennis history to capture a career Grand Slam in both disciplines. He has been selected in the player category.

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Paes is tied with his former partner, Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova, for the most mixed doubles major titles in history. Additionally, he and Hall of Famer Martina Hingis are one of only 2  mixed doubles teams in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam together.

Paes spent a total of 462 weeks inside the ATP doubles top 10, including 37 weeks at No. 1, and won 55 doubles titles on tour.

Paes represented India in international competition for 30 years. He won  Davis Cup record 45 doubles during his career. He competed in a record 7 consecutive Olympic Games, the most in tennis history, and is India’s only Olympic medallist in tennis, capturing bronze in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

‘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. This acknowledgment is indeed the ultimate accolade for every tennis player. Induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame belongs not just to me, but to our billion-plus Indians. 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 said.

Amritraj and United Kingdom’s Evans are inductees in the contributor category, which is considered for election every two years. The contributor category 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.