Former doubles World No. 1 Leander Paes is about to change into the primary Indian participant to be inducted into the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame. 

The eight-time males’s doubles Grand Slam champion, who first reached the summit of the Pepperstone ATP Doubles Rankings in 1999, will obtain tennis’ final honour at a ceremony in Newport on 20 July 2024. He will likely be joined by broadcaster and promoter Vijay Amritraj and famend journalist Richard Evans, who’re each set to be inducted within the Contributor Class.

Paes and Amritraj will change into the primary two Indians to be induced into the Corridor of Fame, and the primary Asian males to be elected of their respective classes.

“It has been my life’s honour to play for my nation for over three a long time in a sport that has given and taught me every little thing,” mentioned Paes, who gained a Davis Cup document 45 doubles rubbers along with an Olympic bronze medal in males’s singles in 1996. “This acknowledgment is certainly the final word accolade for each tennis participant. Induction into the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame belongs not simply to me, however to our billion-plus Indians. Receiving this honour culminates an expert journey of a lifetime, standing on the shoulders of greats and units the tone for different children in Asia and world wide.”

Paes spent a complete of 462 weeks contained in the Prime 10 of the Pepperstone ATP Doubles Rankings, together with 37 weeks as No. 1. With 10 blended doubles Grand Slam titles along with his eight in males’s doubles, he’s one in every of solely three males in tennis historical past to seize a profession Grand Slam in each disciplines. His 10 blended crowns are tied together with his former companion, Corridor of Famer Martina Navratilova, for essentially the most in historical past.

Amritraj, a former Prime 20 participant, has change into the face of tennis broadcasting in Asia and the Center East. He has additionally helped develop skilled tennis in India as an administrator, following a taking part in profession that helped popularise the game and encourage a brand new era of gamers in his nation.

Evans has been a preeminient voice on tennis for greater than six a long time. A historian of the game, he has reported on over 200 Grand Slams and wrote 23 books in his profession. Evans was additionally a key participant within the ATP Tour’s development within the early phases of the Open Period; he turned Wimbledon‘s first press officer in 1973, served as ATP European Director from 1974-77 and was voted onto the ATP Board of Administrators for 2 years in 1977.

“I’m thrilled to congratulate Leander Paes, Vijay Amritraj, and Richard Evans on their election to the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame,” mentioned Corridor of Fame president and Class of 2017 inductee Kim Clijsters. “These three legends have served as trailblazers of their impression on tennis, and in spreading the game worldwide. We’re excited to have fun the Class of 2024 within the coming yr.”