Week in Newport: International Tennis Hall of Fame Shines

The newcomers had incredible connections

The three Class of 2024 nominees, Leander Paes, Vijay Amritraj and Richard Evans, sat down with ITHF Chairs Patrick McEnroe and Kim Clijsters (via Zoom) and CEO Dan Faber for a press conference on Thursday, July 18 at the Casino Theatre.

It was wonderful to hear the legends tell of their legacy.

“On May 12, 1986, I walked up to (Evans) as an 11-year-old, stuck out my hand and said, ‘Nice to meet you, Mr. Evans, I’m Leander Paes.’

He says, “What are you doing here?”

“I thought, ‘I want to emulate my father and win an Olympic medal,’” Paes said.

“Mr. Evans turned to me and said to this young 11-year-old boy, ‘If you work hard enough, you might get into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.’

“Well, here we are.”

Simply amazing stuff.

TeamFAME headquarters named after Chris Evert

It was also announced Thursday that TeamFAME’s headquarters, formerly the Canfield House building, has been renamed the Chris Evert Learning Center, in honor of her contributions to youth tennis and educational initiatives.

Evert and the ITHF leadership were joined on the field by Hall of Famers Navratilova, Clijsters, Smith, Tracy Austin, Casals, Draney, the Class of 2024 (Amritraj, Evans and Paes), TeamFAME student-athletes, ESPN commentator Chris McKendry and ITHF supporter Nora McNeely Hurley of the Manitou Fund.

“Her dedication to developing tennis and education programs has had a positive impact on countless children and their families across the country. The ITHF is pleased to partner with the Manitou Fund to inspire youth in our community and around the world through the Chris Evert Learning Center,” said Faber.

Class of 2024 Inducted in Historic Ceremony

Enshrinement Weekend proved why it is truly a bucket list item for every tennis fan. On the grounds of Newport, the first guests of honour from India, former doubles world number 1 Leander Paes and broadcaster and promoter Vijay Amritraj, were inducted into the ITHF in a ceremony along with renowned journalist and author Richard Evans. The event was held on the Sipsmith Lawn this year instead of the Front Lawn Courts where it has been in the past, an improved space, IMO. It was a beautiful event filled with moving speeches including Prakash Amritraj introducing his father, Vijay Amritraj, and Navratilova introducing Paes, her mixed doubles partner.

“I think Leander played tennis the way most of us would like to play and the fun really starts when he gets to the net,” Navratilova said. “He has reflexes like a leopard and runs down every ball if he can and if he can’t he dives for it. The passion the man has for the sport is indescribable.”