NEWPORT (RHODE ISLAND): Indian tennis great Leander Paes 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, reports TennisIndustryMag.com.
(MOREPIC1) The ballot will also include two nominees in the Contributor Category, Indian tennis pioneer Vijay Amritraj and renown journalist Richard Evans.
Fan voting for the Player Category began on Sept. 27 and will continue till Oct. 9om.
The Player Category recognizes ATP and WTA players who have achieved a distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level. The Class of 2024 Player Category nominees are:
Cara Black of Zimbabwe, former doubles world No. 1 and a 10-time Grand Slam champion in doubles and mixed doubles
Ana Ivanović of Serbia, former world No. 1 and 2008 French Open champion
Carlos Moyá of Spain, winner of the 1998 French Open and former world No. 1
Daniel Nestor of Canada, a former doubles world No. 1 and winner of 12 major titles in doubles and mixed doubles
Leander Paes of India, winner of 18 Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles and a former doubles world No. 1. He makes history as the first Asian man nominated for the Hall of Fame in the Player Category.
Flavia Pennetta of Italy, former doubles world No. 1 and 2015 US Open singles champion
“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.”
