Leander Paes, the renowned Indian tennis legend with a plethora of Grand Slam victories, has achieved yet another milestone in his illustrious career. On Tuesday, it was revealed that Paes has been nominated for the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) in the player category, making him the first Asian man to receive this prestigious nomination.

Paes, who has clinched a remarkable 18 Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles, in addition to his tenure as a former doubles world No. 1, expressed his gratitude for the nomination. He will be competing with other tennis luminaries, including Cara Black, Ana Ivanovic, Carlos Moya, Daniel Nestor, and Flavia Pennetta, in the Player Category. Witness the best tennis game ever with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.

“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,” shared an elated Paes. He continued, “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.”

Leander Paes’ remarkable career spanned three decades, during which he clinched eight Grand Slams in doubles, 10 in mixed doubles, and achieved a career Slam in both categories. His influence and excellence in tennis extended beyond the court, as he spent an impressive 462 weeks inside the ATP doubles top 10, including 37 weeks at the pinnacle as world No. 1. Paes also celebrated victory in 55 doubles titles on the tour.

Additionally, Paes has been a stalwart for the Indian Davis Cup team for an astounding 30 years, holding the record for the competition with 43 doubles tie victories. His legacy as an Indian tennis icon was solidified in 1996 when he became the nation’s sole Olympic medalist in tennis, securing the bronze at the Atlanta Games.

“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,” affirmed Paes.

Alongside Paes, another Indian tennis luminary, Vijay Amritraj, has also received a nomination in the contributor category. The ballot for the ITHF nominations will also include two other esteemed figures in the Contributor Category, namely Vijay Amritraj and renowned journalist Richard Evans, as stated by ITHF on its official website.

As the tennis world eagerly awaits the outcome of the nominations, Leander Paes’ groundbreaking achievement as the first Asian male nominee for the International Tennis Hall of Fame stands as a testament to his enduring impact on the sport. Get the latest updates from the world of tennis only on Nextbet Sports.