In the picturesque and sunny Newport, Rhode Island, two Indian tennis legends, Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj, stood on the cusp of history. They were about to become the first Indians to be inducted into the prestigious International Tennis Hall of Fame. Joining an illustrious group of 264 individuals from 27 nations, Paes and Amritraj marked a significant milestone for Indian tennis.
Paes, the first Asian male player to be inducted, expressed his disbelief and gratitude. He reminisced about his humble beginnings, playing barefoot cricket and football in the streets of Calcutta, and how he could never have imagined this remarkable achievement. “Today, sitting here at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, I wouldn’t have ever dreamt it,” Paes said. “Playing street cricket and street football barefoot back in Calcutta, one would have never dreamt that not just one, but two young Indian boys get to sit on the podium.”
Amritraj, a versatile figure who has excelled as a player, diplomat, actor, and television pundit, has always envisioned himself as India’s ambassador on the global stage. He spoke of his unwavering commitment to representing his nation, whether it be through the Indian flag, anthem, or simply by playing with pride. “Making sure that India was always represented, every single place I played, whether it was a flag, whether it was the anthem, whether it was for four people sitting there or 4,000 people sitting [was important],” Amritraj said. “It was meant to be India on the world stage and in our sport. And to me, that was always a top priority.”
Amritraj’s legacy includes 15 singles titles, three of which were won on the grounds of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1976, 1980, and 1984. Paes, primarily a doubles specialist, won his only singles title in Newport in 1998. Both players share a deep connection with Newport and the Hall of Fame, with Paes stating, “I heard of the Hall of Fame the first time when I researched that Vijay had won the singles there. I researched that the grass courts were really low and hence, his slice serve, and his low volleys came into play. I’m not as tall as him, but I figured I could get down low to the grass too because I’m pretty short for a tennis player. And one of the unique things that we share is not just our Davis Cup passion, but also, we are champions at the Hall of Fame.”
Amritraj expressed his profound connection with India and its people, stating, “I feel that it’s been a very close relationship between me and the country and the people. The 30 million or so people who live overseas that have made an impact on the world and where India is today.”
The induction of Paes and Amritraj into the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a testament to their exceptional careers and unwavering dedication to representing their nation with pride. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes in India and around the world, highlighting the power of hard work, determination, and a deep love for the sport.
