Vijay Amritraj
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| Vijay Amritraj | |
|---|---|
| Name | Vijay Amritraj |
| Country | India |
| Birth date | December 14, 1953 |
| Birth place | Chennai, India |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Turnedpro | 1970 |
| Retired | 1993 |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Careerprizemoney | $1,331,913 |
Vijay Amritraj is a former professional tennis player from India, who had a successful career in the 1970s and 1980s, competing in numerous Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open. He was known for his powerful serve and volley game, which earned him a spot in the top 20 of the ATP rankings. Amritraj's career was marked by notable victories over top players, including Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg, and John McEnroe. He was also a key member of the India Davis Cup team, competing in several Davis Cup tournaments, including the 1974 Davis Cup and the 1987 Davis Cup.
● Early Life and Career
Vijay Amritraj was born in Chennai, India to a family of modest means, with his father, Robert Amritraj, being a businessman, and his mother, Maggie Amritraj, being a homemaker. He began playing tennis at a young age, training at the Madras Cricket Club in Chennai, under the guidance of coach G. Vasudevan. Amritraj's early career was marked by success in junior tournaments, including the Junior Wimbledon and the Junior US Open, where he competed against other top junior players, such as Ilie Nastase and Jan Kodeš. He turned professional in 1970, joining the International Tennis Federation and competing in his first Grand Slam tournament, the 1970 US Open, where he lost to Arthur Ashe in the second round.
● Tennis Career
Amritraj's professional tennis career spanned over two decades, during which he competed in numerous Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open. He achieved his highest ranking of world No. 16 in 1980, and won several ATP Tour titles, including the 1973 Bristol Open and the 1979 New Orleans Open. Amritraj's most notable victories came against top players, including Jimmy Connors, whom he defeated at the 1973 US Open, and Bjorn Borg, whom he defeated at the 1974 Wimbledon. He also competed in several Davis Cup tournaments, including the 1974 Davis Cup and the 1987 Davis Cup, where he represented India alongside other top players, such as Anand Amritraj and Ramanathan Krishnan.
● Post-Tennis Career
After retiring from professional tennis in 1993, Amritraj went on to pursue a career in sports broadcasting, working as a commentator for several major tennis tournaments, including the US Open and Wimbledon. He has also worked as a commentator for the BBC, ESPN, and Tennis Channel, providing analysis and commentary for numerous Grand Slam tournaments, including the Australian Open and the French Open. Amritraj has also been involved in various philanthropic activities, including working with the United Nations and the International Tennis Federation to promote tennis and support charitable causes, such as the Chennai Open and the Tennis Players Association.
● Personal Life
Amritraj is married to Shyamala Amritraj, and has two sons, Prakash Amritraj and Vikram Amritraj, both of whom are also involved in tennis. He is a close friend of several top tennis players, including John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, and has been involved in various business ventures, including a tennis academy in Chennai, India. Amritraj has also been recognized for his contributions to tennis, including being awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1983, and being inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1998, alongside other notable players, such as Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King.
● Film and Television Appearances
Amritraj has made several appearances in film and television, including a role in the James Bond film Octopussy in 1983, where he played the role of Vijay, a tennis player and ally of James Bond. He has also appeared in several tennis documentaries, including Unmatched and The Tennis Player, and has worked as a commentator for several major tennis tournaments, including the US Open and Wimbledon. Amritraj has also been featured in several tennis video games, including Top Spin and Virtua Tennis, and has worked with several top tennis players, including Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, to promote tennis and support charitable causes, such as the Chennai Open and the Tennis Players Association.