Multiple Grand Slam winner Leander Paes on Tuesday emerged as the first Asian man to be nominated for the International Tennis Hall of Fame in the player category.
The Indian tennis great is one of six nominees in the Player Category for the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s ballot for the Class of 2024.
In addition to Paes, Cara Black, Ana Ivanović, Carlos Moyá, Daniel Nestor and Flavia Pennetta return to the ballot in the Player Category. The ballot will also include two nominees in the Contributor Category, Vijay Amritraj and renown journalist Richard Evans.
In a career defined by longevity at the top, Leander Paes broke new ground in accomplishments in Indian tennis. In a career that spanned three decades, he captured 18 Grand Slam titles, including eight in doubles, 10 in mixed doubles, and a career Slam in both disciplines. Paes spent a total of 462 weeks inside the ATP doubles top 10, including 37 weeks at No. 1, and won 55 doubles titles on tour. A Davis Cup mainstay for India for 30 years, he holds the competition’s record with 43 doubles ties won. In 1996, he became India’s only Olympic medalist in tennis, earning bronze at the Atlanta Games.
Paes and countryman Mahesh Bhupathi together won three Grand Slams between 1999 and 2001, and 26 ATP titles. Paes additionally captured doubles Slams with three other partners and mixed doubles Slams with four different partners, including Hall of Famers Martina Hingis and Martina Navratilova. To date, Paes and Navratilova remain tied for most Grand Slam mixed doubles titles in the Open Era.
“It means the world to me that I am the first Asian man to be nominated for the International Tennis Hall of Fame in the Player Category,” said Paes. “After three decades of passion for our sport and playing for 1.3-plus billion Indians in the Olympics and Davis Cup, I am thrilled that my hard work has been recognized. I have so much gratitude for my parents, siblings, coaches, Davis Cup captains and everyone who has played a role in my career.”
“Tennis has given me so much, and I hope this nomination inspires every young kid around the world that with passion in your heart, hard work and belief in yourself, you too can become a champion.”
PLAYER CATEGORY
The Player Category recognizes ATP and WTA players who have achieved a distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level. ITHF Policies & Procedures of Enshrinement state that player candidates remain on the ballot for up to three consecutive years, unless voted in.
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