Sports Desk: Legendary Indian tennis player Leander Paes has made history by becoming the first Asian man to be nominated as a player to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
The 50-year-old Paes was one of the six nominees announced for the Class of 2024. He will be competing with Cara Black, Ana Ivanovic, Carlos Moya, Daniel Nestor and Flavia Pennetta in the Player Category.
Li Na, the Chinese player who won the women’s singles title at Australian Open and French Open, became the first Asian player to get nominated to the ITHF in 2019.
“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,” Paes said.
The ballot for 2024 also includes two contributor category candidates: Vijay Amritraj and journalist Richard Evans.
Paes won career Grand Slams in men’s doubles and mixed doubles and reached the No. 1 doubles ranking. His eight men’s doubles major championships — earned with four different partners — were spread out this way: three apiece at the French Open and U.S. Open, plus one apiece at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
His mixed doubles Slam trophies came alongside various partners, including Martina Navratilova, Martina Hingis and Black.
Paes’ nomination is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest doubles players of all time. He is the only male player to have won an Olympic medal in tennis, singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. He is also the only player to have won four Grand Slam titles in a calendar year in men’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Paes is a global icon and his nomination to the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a proud moment for India. He has inspired millions of people around the world with his achievements and his dedication to the sport.
Congratulations to Leander Paes on this historic achievement!