BALBIR SINGH/RHODE ISLAND (NEWPORT)
Photographs and articles on achievements and contribution by Indian tennis stars Vijay Amritraj and one of the greatest doubles players of all-time Leander Paes and sports writer Richard Evans, who have been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, are prominently displayed in Class of 2024 Tribute Gallery of the Museum. The visitors discover and learn the Birth of Tennis (1874-1918).
Paes and Amritraj became the first two Indians and Asian men bestowed with tennis’ Ultimate Honor, while Evans was revered for his prolific storytelling and historic efforts growing the sport. The number of 267 Hall of Famers from 28 countries now stands at 267.
The Hall of Fame Tennis Club is set on a National Historic Landmark property called Newport Casino. It was first opened on July 26, 1880 as a social club for Newport’s turn of the century summer elite.
Indian Tricolour along with flags of other countries have been hosted.
The visitors start their tour of the Museum to see the photographs and achievements of these three new inductees into Tennis Hall of Fame and birth of tennis and growth of the game.
The event had outgrown Newport by 1914, leading the USNLTA to relocate the championships to the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York. The tournament is now known as the US Open. There are 13 grass, six hard and one clay courts. at the Hall of Fame Tennis Club Members and tennis players from around the globe are allowed to play. The playing facilities are open to the public daily for court time, lessons and clinics.
Only two percent two percent of International Tennis Hall of Fame's fascinating artifacts from the collection are on display in Newport. Currently 2000 objects spanning hundreds of years are to be viewed by the visitors, Trophies, fashion, memorabilia and an impressive array of tennis-inspired art.
They range from historic (the patent for the game of tennis signed by Queen Victoria in 1874) to hard rock (an electric guitar of 1977 Australian Open champion Vitas Gerulaitis).
The Roger Federer Hologram:
A highlight of the museum is a holographic theatre in which visitors feel as though they are in the room with Roger Federer, one of the sport's all-time greatest champions. The museum provides a unique adventure into the world of tennis for kids of all ages.
The inaugural U.S. National Men’s Singles Championship was hosted at the Casino on August 31, 1881. Dick Sears emerged the country’s first champion. He went on to lift the first seven championships (1881-1887) before retiring undefeated. Sears and James Dwight also partnered to capture five doubles championships (1882-1884, 1886-1887).
The event had outgrown Newport by 1914, leading the USNLTA to relocate the championships to the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York. The tournament is now known as the US Open. There are 13 grass, six hard and one clay courts. at the Hall of Fame Tennis Club Members and tennis players from around the globe are allowed to play. The playing facilities are open to the public daily for court time, lessons and clinics.
Keeping historic nature of the club and in respect of tennis traditions, players are required to dress in predominantly white tennis attire on the grass courts.
The interactive displays and exhibits are designed to make the museum experience fun and educational for young visitors. From a touch-screen table where kids can "volley" tennis trivia to each other, to The Roger Federer Experience where they are welcomed to the International Tennis Hall of Fame by a hologram of tennis superstar Roger Federer. The museum provides a unique adventure into the world of tennis for kids of all ages.
Paes was inducted in the Player Category, while Amritraj and Evans were recognized as a part of the Contributor Category: honoring visionary leaders, pioneers, or individuals who have made a consummate impact on the sport.
Paes is an 18-time Grand Slam champion with eight doubles titles and 10 in mixed doubles. Leander Paes spent 37 weeks at No. 1 in the world rankings in doubles, and won 54 doubles titles on tour. He is one of only three men in tennis history to win a career Grand Slam in both disciplines. A legend in his home country, Paes competed in seven straight Olympic Games, the most in tennis history, and is India’s only Olympic medalist in tennis, claiming bronze in singles at the 1996 Summer Olympic
Vijay Amritraj joined the ATP Tour in 1970, immediately popularizing the sport in India and all of Asia. Amritraj led India to its two Davis Cup finals appearances in 1974 and 1987. Amritraj became the first Indian to serve as United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2001. Vijay launched the Vijay Amritraj Foundation in 2006, providing education and basic needs for women and children in India’s most disadvantaged communities.
Evans has been a renowned voice on tennis history for over six decades, having covered over 200 Grand Slams and professional tournaments. Evans is author of 23 books on Open Era tennis, the Davis Cup and biographies on some of the sport’s most iconic names.
A two-hour and 30 minutes drive from Flushing Meadows, New York, to visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame was a great and fascinating experience. It was virtually Total Tennis.