Indian tennis icons Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj were celebrated in a special ceremony on Sunday as they were inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.
The honors went to Paes in the Player Category, while Amritraj and Evans received recognition in the Contributor Category. Which acknowledges individuals who have significantly impacted the sport. This induction brings the total number of legends enshrined in the Hall of Fame to 267, representing 28 nations.
Martina Navratilova, Paes’s former mixed-doubles partner, paid a heartfelt tribute to him. The pair won the 2003 Wimbledon and Australian Open mixed-doubles titles together. Navratilova, a 59-time Grand Slam champion, praised Paes’s remarkable tennis skills and his impact on the sport.
“It is truly a privilege,” Navratilova said. “I am so happy that not just one, but two men from India have received this honor. The first two Asian men to do so.” She described Paes as a passionate player with a distinctive style, noting his impressive serve, powerful forehand, and exceptional reflexes. “He was an artist on the court and an amazing athlete,” Navratilova added. “Leander, it is truly my honor to have played with you. You have made your family, our sport, and most of all, India, very proud.”
Overwhelmed by the honor, Paes reflected on his journey, saying, “It is my greatest honor to be on this stage with these legends who have inspired me every single day.”
He reminisced about his humble beginnings, “Today, sitting here at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, I wouldn’t have ever dreamt it, playing street cricket and football barefoot back in Calcutta.”
The induction recognized the significant milestones Vijay Amritraj achieved during his career. He reached the men’s singles quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the US Open twice each and led India to Davis Cup finals in 1974 and 1987. At his peak, the rankings listed Amritraj as No. 18 in the world in singles and No. 23 in doubles.
The induction of Paes and Amritraj marks a proud moment for Indian tennis, celebrating their contributions and achievements in the sport.
Leave a Reply