Leander Paes, Vijay Amritraj make history, inducted into Tennis Hall of Fame

Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj became the first Asian men inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday.

India’s first-ever inductees were joined by British tennis journalist and author Richard Evans in enshrinement ceremonies at the Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

Paes, a former doubles World No. 1, recounted his youth playing football and hockey before turning to tennis and eventually following his hockey-captain father as an Olympic medalist.

Martina Navratilova presents 2024 Hall of Fame inductee Leander Paes 💪

Together, Navratilova and Paes won the 2003 Wimbledon and Australian Open mixed-doubles titles 🏆 🏆 pic.twitter.com/RH1XpWdj37

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 20, 2024

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“It’s my greatest honour to be on this stage with not only these legends of the game, people who have inspired me every single day of my life – not because you’ve only won Grand Slams, not because you’ve shaped our sport but every single one of these people have shaped the world we live in,” Paes said.

“I would like to thank you so much for giving this Indian boy hope.”

Former player, actor and commentator, Amritraj, 70, played from 1970 until retiring in 1993, winning 15 ATP singles titles and 399 matches and being ranked as high as 18th in the world. Amritraj also helped India to the Davis Cup finals in 1974 and 1987.

Some beautiful words from the newest member of the Hall of Fame ❤️

Congratulations to Vijay Amritraj! pic.twitter.com/GJJkCLIoB0

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 20, 2024

“I am humbled and honoured to join this incredible and exclusive group that have brought glory to our sport,” Amritraj said.

After his playing days, Amritraj has helped humanitarian causes, backed ATP and WTA tournaments in India, mostly Chennai, and has acted in the James Bond and Star Trek movie series.

“A feeling came over me that I had never experienced,” Amritraj said of learning about his election to the Hall. “This was an honor not just for me, for my family, for my parents, but for all of my fellow Indians and my country who live around the world.”

Like Amritraj, Evans was inducted in the contributor category for his life impact on the sport.

51-year-old Paes won 18 Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles titles through his career. He was selected in the player category having honed his trade in an Amritraj youth academy.

‘Inspire the world’

To @Vijay_Amritraj, @Ringham7 and @Leander:

Congratulations, and welcome to the Hall of Fame! pic.twitter.com/ww8zS4Fxu3

— International Tennis Hall of Fame (@TennisHalloFame) July 21, 2024

Paes and Amritraj made India the 28th nation represented in the Hall of Fame.

“Playing for 1.4 billion people could either be pressure or it could be wind within your wings,” Paes said.

“I’d like to thank every single one of my countrymen who supported me, who stood by through all the ups and downs, and we’ve been through a few, but you all were the inspiration, the support, you were even the strength to guide me through when even I didn’t believe.”

Paes won career Grand Slams - winning all four majors - in both men’s and mixed doubles, completing one in men’s by winning the 2012 Australian Open and another in mixed by capturing the 2016 French Open.

Leander Paes shares some inspiring words as he is inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame 🥹 🫶

Watch his full speech here 👉 https://t.co/L8mA5vLzib pic.twitter.com/clYpGulIiE

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 21, 2024

He won the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bronze medal by defeating Fernando Meligeni 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

His only ATP singles title came in 1998 on the Newport grass at the same venue where he was inducted.

“As my father always said to me, if you believe in yourself, you work hard, you’ll be passionate not only to win prize money and trophies, but you do that to inspire the world,” Paes said.

“It has been my greatest honor to play for my countrymen in seven Olympics, to stand where the national anthem is playing in all those Davis Cups, and to prove that we Asians can win Grand Slams and also be number one in our field, be it tennis or anything.”