Leander Paes claims top spot in International tennis Hall of fame fan vote

The veteran has won a total of 18 grand slam titles.

In a recent announcement by the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Indian tennis legend Leander Paes secured the first position in the fan vote for the class of 2024. This prestigious accolade places Paes in the forefront as he eyes a spot in the hallowed halls of the Tennis Hall of Fame. The voting process for the Class of 2024 consisted of both fan vote and an official voting group, comprising tennis journalists, historians, and Hall of Famers.

During a 10-day voting window, fans from 145 countries around the world participated in the process, showcasing the global reach and influence of tennis as a sport. Fans had the liberty to vote for multiple nominees whom they deemed worthy of induction into the Hall of Fame.

The fan vote is just one step in the election process. In addition to the support of the fans, candidates need to receive an affirmative vote of 75 percentage or more from the official voting group. Leander Paes, by clinching the fan vote, gains an additional advantage with three percentage points added to his total votes.

Leander Paes' accomplishments in the world of tennis are nothing short of exceptional. He is not only the first Asian man but also the first individual from India to be nominated for the Hall of Fame in the player Category. With 18 major titles to his name, including eight in doubles and ten in mixed doubles, Paes stands out as one of the greats of the game. He holds the distinction of being one of only three men in tennis history to achieve a career Grand Slam in both doubles and mixed doubles.

The legends' prowess in doubles is further underscored by his 37-week reign atop the ATP doubles rankings and a remarkable 462 weeks within the top 10. His international contributions to India include an astounding record of 43 doubles tie victories in the Davis Cup, making him a true stalwart of the nation's tennis legacy.

Leander Paes' Olympic journey is equally noteworthy, with a remarkable seven appearances at the Olympic Games. His crowning achievement came at the 1996 Olympic Games, where he secured the bronze medal in the singles category.

While Leander Paes secured the top spot in the fan vote, Serbia's Ana Ivanovic finished second, and Spain's Carlos Moya claimed the third position. The final verdict for the Class of 2024, which also includes nominees like Zimbabwe’s Cara Black, Canada’s Daniel Nestor, and Italy’s Flavia Pennetta in the Player Category, as well as Vijay Amritraj and the United Kingdom’s Richard Evans in the Contributor Category, will be announced later this year.