Tennis icon Vijay Amritraj, after receiving India’s prestigious Padma Bhushan award, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s backing for sports and highlighted the significance of nurturing young talent. Amritraj expressed deep gratitude for the honor, emphasizing its special meaning in his career and thanking the Indian government and citizens for their support.
Amritraj, a prominent figure in Indian tennis, shared his pride in representing the nation globally for over two decades. He underscored the importance of early talent identification and support in shaping India into a sports powerhouse, stressing the need for dedication, hard work, and discipline in young athletes.
Recognizing the government’s role in sports development, Amritraj commended the Prime Minister’s support and envisioned India’s potential to host the Olympic Games, possibly in 2036. He highlighted the necessity for top-down support across all states to fully harness the country’s sporting potential and achieve excellence on the global stage.
With a career that elevated Indian tennis internationally, Amritraj’s achievements include 16 singles and 13 doubles titles, notable performances at Wimbledon and the US Open, and leading India’s Davis Cup campaigns. His accolades, such as the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, culminated in the recent Padma Bhushan recognition for his enduring contributions to Indian sports.
