Former doubles world No. 1 Leander Paes and broadcaster and promoter Vijay Amritraj of India have change into the primary Asian males to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Besides the duo, famend journalist and author Richard Evans have additionally been elected within the Ultimate Honour in Tennis. Paes, an 18-time Grand Slam champion in doubles and blended doubles, has been chosen within the participant class, whereas Amritraj and United Kingdom’s Evans are inductees within the contributor class, which is taken into account for election each two years.

The contributor class recognises true pioneers, visionary leaders, or people/teams who’ve made a transcendent influence on the game.

The Class of 2024 might be formally inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday in Newport, Rhode Island.

Paes, Amritraj and Evans will be part of an elite group of 264 inductees from 27 nations – with India set to change into the twenty eighth nation represented within the Hall of Fame.

“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. 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,” Paes mentioned.

“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.” During his three-decade profession, Paes topped the world rankings in doubles and received 18 Grand Slam titles. With eight doubles Grand Slam titles and 10 in blended doubles, he’s certainly one of solely three males in tennis historical past to seize a profession Grand Slam in each disciplines.

Paes is tied along with his former accomplice, Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova, for essentially the most blended doubles main titles in historical past. Additionally, he and Hall of Famer Martina Hingis are certainly one of solely two blended doubles groups within the Open Era to finish a profession Grand Slam collectively.

In a testomony to his longevity on the sport’s peak, Paes spent a complete of 462 weeks contained in the ATP doubles prime 10, together with 37 weeks at No. 1, and received 55 doubles titles on tour.

Paes proudly represented India in worldwide competitors for 30 years, successful a Davis Cup report 45 doubles rubbers throughout his profession. He competed in a report seven consecutive Olympic Games, essentially the most in tennis historical past, and is India’s solely Olympic medallist in tennis, capturing bronze in singles on the 1996 Atlanta Games.

“I am thrilled to congratulate Leander Paes, Vijay Amritraj, and Richard Evans on their election to the International Tennis Hall of Fame,” Kim Clijsters, Honorary President of ITHF and Class of 2017 Hall of Famer mentioned.

“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.” Earlier this 12 months, followers across the globe solid their ballots and elected Paes because the winner of the Hall of Fame’s annual Fan Vote for induction.

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