Indian tennis greats Vijay Amritraj and Leander Paes were inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 20. The legendary Amritraj was awarded the prestigious Hall of Fame in 2022 and was inducted in the Contributor category for his contribution to the game.
Leander Paes, 51, was inducted into the Player Category as the Indian duo became the first Asians to be part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Paes remains India's most successful tennis player with 54 international titles, including 18 Grand Slam titles in doubles.
"Paes was inducted in the Player Category, while Amritraj and Evans were recognised as a part of the Contributor Category: honouring visionary leaders, pioneers, or individuals who have made a consummate impact on the sport," International Tennis Hall of Fame statement. "The three inductees bring the total to 267 legends from 28 nations represented in the Hall of Fame."
Amritraj failed to win any major but is regarded as the best tennis player India has ever produced. Amritraj reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon and the US Open twice in men's singles during his career and recorded his highest ATP ranking of 18, the best by an Indian.
The 70-year-old Amritraj also featured in India's Davis Cup team, reaching the finals in 1974 and 1987. Amritraj recorded famous wins over former world no.1 players John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg and beat the eight-time Grand Slam winner Jimmy Connors five times in eleven meetings.
"A few of us are very blessed to be born into legacy," Leander Paes said. "Today, sitting here at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, I wouldn't have ever dreamt it, playing street cricket and street football barefoot back in Calcutta. I am so excited to share this with all of you, representing every young boy and girl around the planet who has a dream in their mind, passion in their hearts and fire in their belly."
