Paes' Hall of Fame induction fitting on eve of Olympics
Leander Paes, one of the greatest doubles players of all time, and tennis visionaries Vijay Amritraj and Richard Evans were formally inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Paes and Amritraj became the first two Indians and Asian men bestowed with tennis’ ultimate honour, while Evans was revered for his prolific storytelling and historic efforts growing the sport.
Family, friends, fans, and fellow Hall of Famers from around the globe joined together to celebrate Paes, Amritraj and Evans for their instrumental contributions to tennis over the past half century.
Paes was inducted in the Player Category, while Amritraj and Evans were recognised as a part of the Contributor Category: honouring visionary leaders, pioneers, or individuals who have made a consummate impact on the sport.
The three inductees brings the total to 267 legends from 28 nations represented in the Hall of Fame.
Paes won 18 Grand Slam doubles titles, including eight in men's doubles and 10 in mixed. He spent 37 weeks as the world doubles No. 1 and claimed 54 doubles titles on tour in total.
His induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on the eve of the Olympic Tennis Event is particularly timely, given he represented India at seven straight Olympic Games - the most in history - and is the only Indian to win a medal in tennis - claiming bronze in singles at Atlanta 1996.
“A few of us are very blessed to be born into legacy," said Paes earlier this week. "Today sitting here at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, I wouldn't have ever dreamt it, playing street cricket and street football barefoot back in Calcutta back in India.
“I am so excited to share this with all of you, representing every young boy and girl around the planet who has a dream in their mind, passion in their hearts and fire in their belly.”
Martina Navratilova, who introduced Paes ahead of his induction, said: “I think Leander played tennis how most of us would like to play and the fun really starts when he comes to the net. He has reflexes like a leopard and runs every ball down if he can and if he can’t he dives for it. The passion the man has for the sport is indescribable.”
That passion for the game also burns strong in fellow inductees Artmitraj and Evans.
Armitraj, who led his country to two Davis Cup Final appearances in 1974 and 1987, became the face of tennis broadcasting in Asia and the middle east after his retirement, aiding the expansion of professional tennis in India.
Evans, meanwhile, has played a significant role in amplifying tennis over the years, writing 23 books on Open Era tennis, Davis Cup and some of the sport's most iconic names. He covered over 200 Grand Slams and professional tournaments over a six-decade spell.