On July 21, 2024, Vijay Trailblazers Amritraj and Paes make history by becoming the first Asian men to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Amritraj was honoured as a contributor and Paes as a player, marking a significant achievement for Indian tennis.

Before their groundbreaking careers, there was no roadmap for success in tennis in India, a country with a population of 1.4 billion but little history in the sport. Their induction symbolizes a major milestone for Indian tennis, inspiring future generations.

Leander Paes expressed his admiration for Vijay Amritraj and his family, who supported him as a young boy at Amritraj's tennis academy. He acknowledged the contributions of Amritraj’s family and celebrated the special moment they shared.

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Image Source: ATP Tour

Vijay Amritraj, who faced serious health issues as a child, reflected on his journey. His mother’s unwavering belief that he would become India’s greatest tennis player kept him motivated. Despite growing up in a time when India offered little visibility for a future in international sports, Amritraj overcame these challenges to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon at the age of 19 and led India to two Davis Cup finals.

Trailblazers Amritraj and Paes

Amritraj attributes his success to the extraordinary support of his parents, who encouraged him to dream big. Their influence helped him become a four-time singles quarter-finalist at Grand Slam tournaments and achieve a career-high doubles ranking of No. 23.

Leander Paes, from a family with a rich sporting background, was inspired by the Amritraj family to pursue tennis. He built an impressive doubles career, winning 54 tour-level doubles titles and a singles title in Newport, the same place where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Amritraj.

Both Amritraj and Paes have left an indelible mark on Indian tennis, showing that success in the sport is achievable. Their induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to their extraordinary contributions and the legacy they leave behind.

Vijay Amritraj eloquently summed up the significance of their induction: “It’s not just about saying impossible is nothing. It’s about India being in the Hall of Fame, the tricolour and the anthem. That’s the most important bit because I did it as an Indian at a time when it wasn’t meant to be.”

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