On Saturday former doubles world No. 1 Leander Paes, broadcaster and promoter Vijay Amritraj, and renowned journalist and writer Richard Evans will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF), the ultimate honor in tennis. The three Class of 2024 honorees sat down with ITHF co-Presidents Patrick McEnroe and Kim Clijsters (via Zoom) and CEO Dan Faber in a press conference held at the Casino Theatre on Thursday, July 18.
Amritraj and Paes will become the first two Indians to be inducted. They are also the first Asian men to be elected in their respected categories. The historical significance was not lost on Amritraj, considered one of India’s greatest players, later becoming a renowned commentator and huge advocate for tennis expansion throughout the world.
“My parents were flying blind when we got into this sport we call tennis. Never knew where it was going to take us.
“I’ve often said that my greatest talent was being born to the right parents,” he said laughing.
“My mother told me that ‘You’re going to be the best in this country.’
“My biggest sadness, I would say, is them not being here with me to be able to share this. But it has been such a monumental task and effort on their part to get me into this situation and make something of me, which I never dreamt about.”
18-time doubles grand slam winner Paes also paid tribute to his family for helping him become such a revered doubles player. He, along with Hall of Famer Martina Hingis, are one of only two mixed doubles teams in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam. Paes also has a history of winning in Newport.
“I wouldn’t have ever dreamt it, playing street cricket and street football barefoot back in Calcutta back in India. Never would have dreamt that not just one but two Indian boys get to sit on a podium with so much legacy around us.
“Just sitting in this auditorium, one feels the amazing history, both Vijay and myself having won the tournament here several times, singles, doubles. Getting to walk the lawns of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, getting to walk within the walls of the museum is just a phenomenal legacy.”
Paes also talked about his connection with his fellow inductees, including being given a scholarship to Amritraj’s tennis academy.
“Vijay and his wonderful parents welcomed me into an academy, gave all of us boys an opportunity that was very special back in India, and one is so grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Amritraj, to Vijay for giving us this great opportunity,” Paes said about attending the Britannia Amritraj Tennis Academy. “I did my holy communion with his mother,” he added.
It was there where he also met Evans, the celebrated tennis journalist being inducted alongside them on Saturday.
“On the 12th of May, 1986, Richard Evans was there. He was writing Vijay’s autobiography. I walked up to him as an 11-year-old and I stuck my hand out and I said, ‘Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Evans, I’m Leander Paes.’
He goes, ‘What are you here for?’
I was, ‘I want to emulate my father in winning an Olympic medal,’” Paes said, whose father had won a bronze medal in field hockey at the 1972 Munich Games.
“On the 12th of May, 1986, Mr. Evans turned to me and said to this young 11-year-old kid, ‘If you work hard enough, you might even get into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.’
“Well, here we are.”
Paes would go on to capture Bronze himself, in Singles, at the 1996 Atlanta Games, the only Indian to medal in tennis at the Olympics. His career included a record seven consecutive Olympic Games, more than any other tennis player.
Of the 264 inductees who have been honored at the ITHF in Newport, RI, they have hailed from 27 nations. With Amritraj and Paes joining the roster, that now makes India the 28th country represented at the Hall of Fame.
The Class of 2024 induction ceremony for Amritraj, Paes and Evans is scheduled for Saturday, July 20, at 6:00 p.m.
