Leander Paes, a former world number one in doubles, and Vijay Amritraj, a renowned tennis broadcaster, actor, and player, made history as the first Asian men to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday. Joining them in the enshrinement ceremonies at Newport, Rhode Island, was British tennis journalist and author Richard Evans. Paes reminisced about his early days playing football and hockey before transitioning to tennis, eventually following in his father's footsteps as an Olympic medalist. "It's my greatest honor to stand on this stage with these legends who have inspired me daily, not just for their Grand Slam victories or shaping our sport, but for how they've influenced the world we live in," Paes expressed. "I am deeply grateful for the hope you've given this Indian boy."
Amritraj, aged 70, had a distinguished career from 1970 to 1993, claiming 15 ATP singles titles and 399 matches, peaking at world number 18, and leading India to the Davis Cup finals in 1974 and 1987. "I am humbled and honored to be part of this remarkable and exclusive group that has brought honor to our sport," Amritraj stated. Post-retirement, he has contributed to humanitarian causes, supported ATP and WTA events in India, and starred in the James Bond and Star Trek film series. "The feeling of being elected to the Hall was unlike any I've known," Amritraj shared. "This honor is not just for me, but for my family, my fellow Indians, and my country."
Evans was inducted in the contributor category for his significant impact on tennis. Paes, 51, a champion of 18 Grand Slams in doubles and mixed doubles, was recognized in the player category, having trained in an Amritraj youth academy. Together, Paes and Amritraj represented India as the 28th nation in the Hall of Fame. "Playing for 1.4 billion people could be seen as pressure or as the wind beneath your wings," Paes reflected. "I thank every one of my countrymen for their unwavering support through highs and lows, providing inspiration and strength when I doubted myself."
Paes achieved career Grand Slams in both men's and mixed doubles, winning the 2012 Australian Open and the 2016 French Open. He secured the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bronze medal by defeating Brazil's Fernando Meligeni. His sole ATP singles title was in 1998 at Newport, the same venue of his induction. "As my father often said, believing in yourself, working hard, and being passionate isn't just about winning prizes and trophies, but about inspiring the world," Paes concluded. "It has been my greatest honor to represent my country in seven Olympics, to stand as the national anthem plays in Davis Cups, and to demonstrate that Asians can triumph in Grand Slams and be number one in any field."
