For a regular tourist, Newport, Rhode Island, might seem like just another quaint seaside town. But for tennis enthusiasts, it’s a hallowed ground. This is the birthplace of the US Open, hosting the tournament from 1881 to 1914, and home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) and its museum. Entering this hall is considered the highest honor for tennis professionals, and India’s Vijay Amritraj and Leander Paes are the latest additions to this exclusive club, joining a distinguished group of 267 members from 28 countries.
Dan Faber, CEO of the ITHF, spoke about the institution’s ambitious plans as it prepares to welcome several legendary players in the years to come. “When you look at someone like Leander and meet someone like Vijay, they are an inspiration. To be the first two men from India to be inducted into the Hall of Fame is iconic, special and magical. Given the fact that there are so many people in India, I would only think there would be more footfalls.” Faber also highlighted the ongoing museum renovation, “We’re renovating our museum, which is already unbelievable. It will cost us around $3 million. Starting in November, we’re going to make it a little bit more digital and more fan-friendly so they can interact with the different displays.” This revamp aims to prepare the museum for the influx of iconic names, both those currently enshrined and those who will be inducted in the future.
The ITHF is anticipating a golden era of inductees, with a star-studded lineup already in sight. “From an eligibility standpoint, all you have to do is do the math. This year, as you know, we’ve got Leander, Vijay and Richard Evans, who are three incredible inductees. Next year, from an eligibility standpoint, you have the Bryan brothers and Maria Sharapova. In 2026, from an eligibility standpoint, you’ve got this unknown guy named Roger Federer. And then it just continues to go from there. Then Serena Williams will become eligible. Ash Barty will become eligible. We are calling this the golden era of inductees.”
Recognizing the global nature of tennis, the ITHF is expanding its reach beyond Newport. “From the museum perspective, yes. It’s the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and we are a global organisation. I was hired to try to make sure that we continue to grow.” This expansion will manifest in several ways, including a greater physical presence at tournaments around the world and a more accessible digital museum experience. “We have worked with our partner, Infosys, who have created a metaverse. So, you can technically go into our museum through the metaverse. You just have to create an avatar.” Pop-up museums are also in the planning stages, allowing fans worldwide to experience the ITHF’s rich history.
Faber is particularly focused on engaging with fans in India, following the induction of Amritraj and Paes. “Based on my conversations with Leander and Vijay, we’re going to crack that code. I’m looking forward to visiting India after the ceremonies and working on that.”
The ITHF is also looking to revitalize professional tennis in Newport by hosting a tournament during the second week of Wimbledon. “We said from the moment I started a year ago that professional tennis is in the fabric of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. It will never go away. We have an opportunity to bring in both men’s and women’s tennis, which has not happened in this Newport region for over 35 years.” This event aims to create a vibrant tennis festival, attracting both players and fans. “We’re going to have double the professional tennis and double the participants, and it’s going to be super exciting. Imagine that people could come here, maybe watch and participate, watch Wimbledon on big screens, and then, with the time change, the tournament starts soon after.” The ITHF is also committed to promoting equality by offering equal prize money for the event.
Faber believes this move is strategically beneficial, aligning with the current trend of challenger tournaments piggybacking on major events. “From a tennis calendar perspective, it might be the right time to get the right players to Newport. We’re a grass-court tournament, and so far, Wimbledon is kind of out of the grass-court season, and you’re getting more into the hard court. But if we go to the second week of Wimbledon, which seems to be a bit of a trend nowadays, challengers are piggybacking on certain tournaments. We think this is the right thing to do from a grass-court tournament perspective.” With a renewed focus on its global presence, digital engagement, and a revitalized tournament, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is poised for an exciting future, celebrating the sport’s rich history while embracing new opportunities.
