Leander Paes, Vijay Amritraj make history joining Tennis Hall of Fame

NEW DELHI: Leander Paes, a former world number one in doubles, and Vijay Amritraj, a tennis broadcaster, actor, and player, made history on Saturday by becoming the first Asian men to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
The ceremony took place in Newport, Rhode Island, where they were honored alongside Richard Evans, a British tennis journalist and author.
Paes and Amritraj are the first inductees from India to receive this prestigious recognition. During his speech, Paes shared memories of his childhood, during which he played football and hockey before ultimately choosing to pursue tennis. He went on to follow in the footsteps of his father, a hockey captain, by winning an Olympic medal.
"It's my greatest honor 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."
Amritraj, a prominent Indian tennis player, had a successful career spanning from 1970 to 1993. During his tenure, he clinched 15 ATP singles titles, secured 399 match victories, and achieved a career-high ranking of 18th in the world. Amritraj played a pivotal role in leading India to the Davis Cup finals in 1974 and 1987, showcasing his exceptional skills and leadership on the court.
"I am humbled and honored to join this incredible and exclusive group that have brought glory to our sport," Amritraj said.
Following his retirement, Amritraj dedicated himself to various humanitarian causes, demonstrating his commitment to making a positive impact beyond the realm of tennis. He also actively supported ATP and WTA events in India, contributing to the growth and promotion of the sport in his home country. Additionally, Amritraj ventured into the world of acting, appearing in the renowned James Bond and Star Trek movie franchises, showcasing his versatility and talent beyond the tennis court.
"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."
Paes, a former student of an Amritraj youth academy, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the player category, recognizing his outstanding achievements in the sport. Paes, 51, amassed an impressive 18 Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles throughout his illustrious career. His induction, alongside Amritraj's, made India the 28th nation to be represented in the prestigious Hall of Fame.
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's accomplishments include completing career Grand Slams in both men's and mixed doubles. He achieved the men's doubles Grand Slam by winning the 2012 Australian Open and completed the mixed doubles Grand Slam with his victory at the 2016 French Open.
Paes's success extended to the Olympic stage, where he secured a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics by defeating Brazil's Fernando Meligeni in a thrilling match with a score of 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. Notably, Paes's sole ATP singles title came in 1998 on the grass courts of Newport, the same venue where he was later inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"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."