Tennis

Former doubles world number one Leander Paes and tennis broadcaster, actor, and player Vijay Amritraj became the first Asian men inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 20. The induction ceremony at the Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, marked a historic moment for Indian tennis.Paes, 51, is an 18-time Grand Slam champion in doubles and mixed doubles. He honed his skills at an Amritraj youth academy and was selected in the player category. Paes recounted his early days playing football and hockey before switching to tennis, following in the footsteps of his hockey-captain father, who was an Olympic medalist."It's my greatest honor to be on this stage with not only these legends of the game, people who have inspired me every single day of my life -- not because you've only won Grand Slams, not because you've shaped our sport but every single one of these people have shaped the world we live in," Paes said. "I would like to thank you so much for giving this Indian boy hope."Amritraj, 70, played from 1970 until retiring in 1993. He won 15 ATP singles titles and 399 matches, reaching a career-high ranking of 18th in the world. Amritraj also helped India reach the Davis Cup finals in 1974 and 1987.After his playing days, Amritraj became involved in humanitarian causes, supported ATP and WTA events in India, and acted in the James Bond and Star Trek movie series. "A feeling came over me that I had never experienced," Amritraj said of learning about his election to the Hall. "This was an honor not just for me, for my family, for my parents, but for all of my fellow Indians and my country who live around the world."Like Amritraj, British tennis journalist and author Richard Evans was inducted in the contributor category for his lifetime impact on the sport.Paes and Amritraj's induction made India the 28th nation represented in the Hall of Fame. Paes emphasized the significance of their achievement for Indian tennis and the inspiration it provides to young players."Playing for 1.4 billion people could either be pressure or it could be wind within your wings," Paes said. "I'd like to thank every single one of my countrymen who supported me, who stood by through all the ups and downs, and we've been through a few, but you all were the inspiration, the support, you were even the strength to guide me through when even I didn't believe."Paes's career highlights include Grand Slams in both men's and mixed doubles, completing a career Grand Slam in men's by winning the 2012 Australian Open and in mixed by capturing the 2016 French Open. He also won the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bronze medal.Amritraj's contributions to tennis extend beyond his playing career. He has been a vocal advocate for the sport in India and has played a key role in promoting tennis at the grassroots level.The induction of Paes and Amritraj into the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a testament to their exceptional achievements and their enduring impact on the sport. Their stories serve as an inspiration to young tennis players around the world, particularly in India, and their legacy will continue to shape the future of tennis for generations to come.

Vijay Amritraj, a tennis legend from India, has made an indelible mark on the sport both on and off the court. His induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) as the first Asian man alongside Leander Paes is a testament to his exceptional achievements and unwavering commitment to the game.Amritraj's journey to tennis stardom was not without its challenges. Growing up with severe health issues, he found solace and strength in the sport. With the unwavering support of his parents and brothers, Anand and Ashok, who also became world-class players, Amritraj overcame adversity to emerge as a formidable force on the tennis circuit.In 1973, at the age of 19, Amritraj made a stunning debut at Wimbledon, reaching the quarterfinals in singles. His remarkable victories over tennis greats Rod Laver and Jimmy Connors cemented his status as a rising star. Throughout his career, Amritraj amassed 28 ATP titles, including eight doubles titles alongside his brother Anand. He achieved a career-high singles ranking of 18 in 1980 and led India to two Davis Cup finals.Beyond his on-court accomplishments, Amritraj has dedicated his life to using tennis as a platform for social change. The Vijay Amritraj Foundation, established nearly two decades ago, provides support to individuals affected by disease and tragedy. As a United Nations Messenger of Peace, Amritraj has tirelessly advocated for awareness and action against HIV/AIDS and drug abuse.Amritraj's influence extends beyond the tennis court. He has starred in Hollywood films such as "Octopussy" and "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home." His career as a tennis commentator began in 1992, where he has shared his insights and expertise with audiences worldwide.Amritraj's induction into the ITHF is a fitting tribute to his exceptional contributions to tennis and his unwavering commitment to using the sport as a force for good. His legacy as a player, humanitarian, and ambassador for the game will continue to inspire generations to come.

Tennis Channel will broadcast the International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony live on Saturday, July 20, at 6 p.m. ET. The event will take place during the Infosys Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island, and will honor eight-time Grand Slam doubles champion Leander Paes, player, broadcaster, and promoter Vijay Amritraj, and reporter, author, and tennis historian Richard Evans.Brett Haber, a longtime Tennis Channel commentator and host, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the induction ceremony. A special edition of Tennis Channel Live will air before the event at 5 p.m. ET, featuring network analysts and former players Chanda Rubin and Robbie Koenig.Tennis Channel will provide extensive coverage of the North American summer tennis season, including more than 340 hours of live matches and 365 hours of encore replays. The eight tournaments featured in the "Summer in the Cities" programming are the Infosys Hall of Fame Open, Atlanta Open, Mubadala Citi DC Open, National Bank Open presented by Rogers, Cincinnati Open, Tennis in the Land, Winston-Salem Open, and Abierto GNP Seguros 2024.Tennis Channel+ will offer on-demand matches upon their conclusion. The tournaments will be part of Tennis Channel's Center Court coverage, which includes other events worldwide.Tennis Channel and its sibling network T2 are the only television-based multiplatform destinations dedicated to both professional tennis and the tennis lifestyle. The networks have the most concentrated single-sport coverage in television, with multiple men's and women's tournaments and singles, doubles, and mixed competition throughout the year.Tennis Channel and T2 have rights to the four majors – US Open, Wimbledon, Roland Garros (French Open), and Australian Open – and are the exclusive U.S. homes of all men's ATP World Tour and women's WTA Tour competitions, Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, United Cup, and Laver Cup.Direct-to-consumer streaming service Tennis Channel+ is available to everyone in the United States and allows subscribers to select from another 4,500 live and on-demand matches and award-winning content throughout the tennis season.