Leander Paes, Vijay Amritraj, Richard Evans to be inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame
The Class of 2024 is a notable one: Paes and Amritraj are the first Asian men to be elected in their respective categories, and they'll represent India in Newport for the first time.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame will see a 28th country represented in its hallowed grounds next year, after the Class of 2024 was announced Wednesday morning.
Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj are the first inductees from India, as well first the Asian men—Paes in the Player Category and Amritraj in the Contributor Category. The two legendary faces of Indian tennis are joined by distinguished journalist Richard Evans, who also received the call to the Hall as a contributor.
With court instincts like no other, Paes compiled a decorated career spanning nearly 30 years at the tour level that included capturing 18 major trophies along the way. The Calcutta native completed career Grand Slams in both men’s doubles and mixed doubles—the latter including sweeping all four majors with 2013 inductee Martina Hingis—and spent 37 weeks as the ATP’s No. 1-ranked doubles player across the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
Taking pride in representing his nation, Paes competed at seven successive Olympic Games. He won bronze at Atlanta ('96) in men’s singles and finished fourth in men’s doubles at Athens ('04) alongside Mahesh Bhupathi. Over a stretch of 31 years (1990 to 2021) between his first and final Davis Cup appearances, Paes suited up for 58 ties and combined to win a total of 93 singles and doubles matches—both records for India. He also owns the most doubles wins in Davis Cup history with 45.
“It has been my life’s honor 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,” Paes, holder of 55 tour-level crowns, said in a statement.
“Induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame belongs not just to me, but to our billion-plus Indians. Receiving this honor 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.”
Before Paes, Amritraj was the groundbreaker for their homeland. As a player, he helped India twice reach the Davis Cup final and was essential to his country’s boycotting of the 1974 championship tie, in response to opposing South Africa’s Apartheid policies.
The 15-time ATP champion’s humanitarian work continued well after his playing days when he served as his nation’s inaugural United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2001, and created the Vijay Amritraj Foundation five years later to support education and fundamental necessities for women and children throughout India’s most disadvantaged communities.
“This is truly a blessing, and an honor to be included in the history of tennis, among the greats who have played and served the sport,” said Amritraj, who also helped grow India’s tennis footprint through the hosting of ATP and WTA-level tournaments in Chennai, and sharing his knowledge of the game to viewers as a trusted commentator.
“Acknowledging the culmination of a career that started with illness and now to be inducted in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, is making impossible dreams come true. It is a gift from above for me and my family and an honor for India.”
Among his many accomplishments, Evans has authored 23 books, served as the ATP’s first press officer and was instrumental in the men’s tour establishing ATP University to guide players making the transition to the professional ranks. During his 60-plus year career as a writer, Evans has covered more than 200 Grand Slam events.
“Being recognized as having done something useful by one's peers is always a great honor,” Evans remarked. “It has also been such a pleasure to have spent a large part of my career writing about such a fabulous sport alongside players and fellow journalists whose talent I have admired.”
The three newest members will be enshrined in Newport, R.I. on July 20, 2024. The special weekend will also celebrate the final edition of the Infosys Hall of Fame Open, the only tour-level event held on grass in the U.S.