Former doubles World No. 1 Leander Paes is set to become the first Indian player to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
The eight-time men's doubles Grand Slam champion, who first reached the summit of the Pepperstone ATP Doubles Rankings in 1999, will receive tennis' ultimate honour at a ceremony in Newport on 20 July 2024. He will be joined by broadcaster and promoter Vijay Amritraj and renowned journalist Richard Evans, who are both set to be inducted in the Contributor Category.
Paes and Amritraj will become the first two Indians to be induced into the Hall of Fame, and the first Asian men to be elected in their respective categories.
“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,” said Paes, who won a Davis Cup record 45 doubles rubbers in addition to an Olympic bronze medal in men's singles in 1996. “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.”
[ATP APP]
Paes spent a total of 462 weeks inside the Top 10 of the Pepperstone ATP Doubles Rankings, including 37 weeks as No. 1. With 10 mixed doubles Grand Slam titles in addition to his eight in men's doubles, he is one of only three men in tennis history to capture a career Grand Slam in both disciplines. His 10 mixed crowns are tied with his former partner, Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova, for the most in history.
Amritraj, a former Top 20 player, has become the face of tennis broadcasting in Asia and the Middle East. He has also helped expand professional tennis in India as an administrator, following a playing career that helped popularise the sport and inspire a new generation of players in his nation.
Evans has been a preeminient voice on tennis for more than six decades. A historian of the sport, he has reported on over 200 Grand Slams and wrote 23 books in his career. Evans was also a key player in the ATP Tour's growth in the early stages of the Open Era; he became Wimbledon's first press officer in 1973, served as ATP European Director from 1974-77 and was voted onto the ATP Board of Directors for two years in 1977.
“I am thrilled to congratulate Leander Paes, Vijay Amritraj, and Richard Evans on their election to the International Tennis Hall of Fame,” said Hall of Fame president and Class of 2017 inductee Kim Clijsters. “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.”
