Amul celebrates Leander Paes, Vijay Amritraj's induction into tennis hall of fame

Published at :December 19, 2023 at 3:56 PM

Modified at :January 14, 2024 at 12:27 AM

Both became the first Asian men to receive the prestigious honour.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame welcomed two Indian legends, Vijay Amritraj and Leander Paes, for the Class of 2024. Paes, who has won 18 Grand Slams, was honored in the player category, while Amritraj, a renowned broadcaster and promoter, was recognized as a Contributor. India became the 28th country to have representatives in this elite institution.

Amul, the famous dairy brand, saluted the duo with a creative illustration. It showed both players shaking hands, with a bread-and-butter resemblance, and the text, “Vijay for Leander, famous in all Halls.” The brand’s mascot, the Amul girl was in the middle, holding two rackets as a referee. The caption said, “#Amul Topical: Amritraj, Paes first Asians to be inducted into Tennis Hall of Fame!” It was a fitting tribute to the two icons of Indian tennis.

#Amul Topical: Amritraj, Paes first Asians to be inducted into Tennis Hall of Fame! pic.twitter.com/trM0ZNQHvH
— Amul.coop (@Amul_Coop) December 15, 2023

Amul has congratulated Neeraj Chopra earlier, the first Indian to win gold in javelin throw at the World Athletics Championships. It showed Neeraj holding the National Flag, a bread and butter likeness, and the Amul girl sprinting with a javelin. The text on the illustration said, “Javelin! Gold Standard.

Coming to tennis, Vijay Amritraj and Leander Paes join a select group of 270 Hall of Famers from 28 nations, who have shaped the history and heritage of tennis. Vijay Amritraj was inducted in the Contributor category, which honors individuals who have made a significant impact on tennis in areas such as administration, media, coaching, and philanthropy. Amritraj is a pioneer of Indian tennis, who rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s with his powerful serve and volley game.

He reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 18 and won 15 ATP titles, including four in doubles. He also led India to two Davis Cup finals, in 1974 and 1987. After retiring from professional tennis, Amritraj became a successful broadcaster and promoter, who has used his platform to popularize tennis in India and across Asia. He has been a commentator for various networks, such as ESPN, Star Sports, and BBC.

He has also organized and hosted several tennis events, such as the Chennai Open, the ATP World Tour Finals, and the IPTL. He has also been involved in various humanitarian causes, such as the Vijay Amritraj Foundation, which supports underprivileged children and families in India.

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Leander Paes is inducted in the Player category, which honors individuals who have achieved the highest standards of excellence and integrity in their playing careers. 1996 Olympic bronze medallist is one of the greatest doubles players of all time, who has won 18 Grand Slam titles, 8 in men’s doubles and 10 in mixed doubles. He has also achieved the No. 1 ranking in doubles and the career Grand Slam in both disciplines. Paes holds the record for the most Davis Cup doubles wins (43) and the most Olympic appearances by a tennis player (7).

The Class of 2024 will be officially enshrined into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Newport, Rhode Island.

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