Indian tennis legends Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj on Sunday have been inducted to the game’s Corridor of Fame.
“Paes was inducted within the Participant Class, whereas Amritraj and Evans have been recognised as part of the Contributor Class: honoring visionary leaders, pioneers, or people who’ve made a consummate influence on the game. The three inductees brings the full to 267 legends from 28 nations represented within the Corridor of Fame,” mentioned the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame assertion.
Paying tribute to Paes was her former mixed-doubles associate, Martina Navratilova – the duo gained the 2003 Wimbledon and Australian Open mixed-doubles titles.
“It’s really a privilege. And I’m so completely happy that not only one man however two males from India gained this award. First two Asian males…to do that”, mentioned the 59-time Grand Slam champion,” mentioned Navratilova, a 59-time grand slam champion – 18 singles, 31 doubles and 10 combined doubles.
“I feel Leander performs tennis probably the most of us will prefer to play. He has bought off velocity serve, large forehand, slice backhand which lands the place precisely you don’t need it to land. Featherly contact, reflexes like a leopard. He runs each ball down. If he can he dives for it. The eagerness that the person has for the game is indescribable. And if all else fails he smiles on the courtroom after which everyone’s hearts melts. He was an artist on the courtroom and a tremendous athlete…Leander it’s really my honour to play towards you loved it so much after I performed with you. You’ve got accomplished your loved ones proud. You’ve got accomplished our sports activities proud and most of all you’ve accomplished India proud ” Navratilova added.
Former doubles world No. 1 Leander Paes of India embraces fellow Corridor of Famer Martina Navratilova as he’s inducted into the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S., July 20, 2024. (REUTERS/Mark Stockwell)
Conceding his feelings after he was inducted within the Corridor of Fame, Paes mentioned, “It’s my biggest honor to be on this stage with not solely these legends of the sport, [but] individuals who have impressed me each single day of my life.
“Just a few of us are very blessed to be born into legacy. As we speak, sitting right here on the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, I wouldn’t have ever dreamt it, enjoying avenue cricket and avenue soccer barefoot again in Calcutta,” he added.
Additionally bestowed with the respect was Amritraj, who reached the boys’s singles quarterfinals on the Wimbledon and US Open twice every in addition to guiding India to the Davis Cup finals twice — in 1974 and 1987. At his peak, he was ranked No.18 on the earth in singles and No. 23 in doubles.