Xtra Time Web Desk: Olympic medallist Leander Paes and tennis icon Vijay Amritraj have achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first men from the Asian continent to be elected into the prestigious International Tennis Hall of Fame. The announcement, made on Wednesday, marked a significant recognition of their outstanding contributions to the sport.
Paes, a former doubles world No 1 and holder of 18 Grand Slam titles in men’s and mixed doubles, has been elected in the Player Category. His remarkable achievements include a two-year stint as the top-ranked doubles player in the world.
Vijay Amritraj, known not only for his on-court prowess but also as a renowned broadcaster, has been chosen in the Contributor Category. This distinction highlights his multifaceted role in promoting and enhancing the global appeal of tennis.
The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place on July 20 next year at Newport, Rhode Island. This momentous occasion will also see British journalist and historian Richard Evans joining the illustrious list of inductees in the Contributor Category.
China’s Li Na, a two-time women’s singles Grand Slam champion, had previously become the first-ever Asian to be elected to the Hall of Fame in 2019. With the inclusion of Paes and Amritraj, India will be the 28th country to be represented in the esteemed International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Candidates for induction are selected based on votes from fans, experts, media, historians, and existing Hall of Famers. To secure induction, candidates must receive approval on at least 75% of the ballots, making it a highly competitive and prestigious recognition in the world of tennis.