By Bhuvan Lall
On another day in Los Angeles, I was caught in terrible traffic and was delayed for an important lunch meeting. The California sun was shining but the Santa Monica freeway was like a parking lot. I swiftly exited and took the side streets to get to Westwood. Underneath the building, I took the last remaining parking spot for visitors and ran towards the empty elevator, to get to my meeting. A handsome American in a grey suit entered the elevator and the elevator took off. At the reception floor, two more persons joined us in the elevator. Both looked admiringly at the gentleman in the grey suit. Before they got off at the fifth floor they eagerly shook hands with the tall man.
The elevator moved upwards and in my mind, I kept wondering who is this guy. He looked familiar but I couldn’t place him at all. My brain was googling him in the face recognition mode and was trying to locate the exact match by using the elimination technique. He didn’t seem like a movie person or a politician or a creative type but was a celebrity nevertheless.
I simply ventured forward and introduced myself, “Excuse me, I am Bhuvan Lall from India." He smiled at me, shook my hand, and replied, “Jimmy Connors…nice to meet you”
TRINGGG! The elevator door opened – it was the top floor.
As we walked towards our respective meetings the conversation turned to Indian tennis and he mentioned, “I played a lot with VJ (Vijay) – we were the ABC of Tennis back then” (Amritraj, Borg, and Connors).
So much has been written and said about Tennis icon Vijay Amritraj that there is little one can add. Vijay Amritraj's journey is nothing short of inspirational. Hailing from Chennai, India, he emerged as a beacon of hope and perseverance in the world of tennis. Despite the numerous challenges and the stiff competition, he stood tall and carved a niche for himself on the global stage. In July 1973, Vijay, at the tender age of 21, made headlines by clinching the Volvo International title in Bretton Woods, US.
His career is adorned with victories over some of the biggest names in tennis, including Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, and Stan Smith. Vijay's repeated appearances in the Quarterfinals of Wimbledon and the US Open further solidified his position as a tennis powerhouse. His resilience and sportsmanship were highlighted in 1981 when he reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, battling fiercely against the legendary Jimmy Connors in a five-set thriller. He faced the world’s best several times and emerged victorious, a testament to his unwavering determination and skill.
Vijay's commitment to the sport extended beyond his personal achievements. He served as India's Davis Cup Captain, leading the team to the Finals twice, in 1974 and 1987. Ranked #1 in Asia for 14 years, his leadership and vision were instrumental in inspiring future generations of Indian tennis players. Recognized globally, Vijay held the position of President of the ATP Tour Player Council and was honored with the prestigious Pierre Coubertin Award by the United Nations in 1988.
His contributions to tennis and his role as an ambassador for the sport were further acknowledged when he was named Davis Cup Centennial Ambassador by the International Tennis Federation in 1999. Vijay is the only Asian to be unanimously elected to Honorary Membership of The All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon. He carried the Olympic Torch at the 1988 Seoul Games.
These victories are not just a personal achievement but a moment of pride for his nation, putting India on the global tennis map. Vijay's story is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved with passion, dedication, and hard work. He once revealed, “If I wasn't a tennis player I would have been a doctor, it was the first profession I ever wanted to be. I thought it was the noblest profession of all to save lives because I spent a lot of time around hospitals growing up and I saw what they were doing, that was always my first choice.” This sentiment highlights his compassionate nature and the depth of his character.
Vijay's legacy is not just in the titles he won, but in the inspiration he continues to provide to countless individuals around the world. His life and career serve as a beacon of hope, illustrating the power of dreams and the importance of striving for excellence in every endeavor.
Since 1991 Vijay has been the Lead anchor and Host for "ESPN Star Sports" broadcasting to the world's largest sporting audience. Covering Wimbledon, the US Open, the Australian Open, and other ATP Tour events, along with the PGA Masters, Vijay is one of the world's most recognizable sports celebrities. Because of his extensive knowledge of politics and business within India, Vijay was secured by ABC, ESPN, Sony Entertainment, Turner Broadcasting, and IMG to strategize their successful business entry into India and other parts of South Asia. Vijay serves as Chairman of Grey First Serve, Sri Lanka's leading advertising agency, and is director of The Leela Group of Hotels in India. Vijay serves as a brand Ambassador for Rolex, Jaguar Land Rover, and Aston Martin.
With his charm and talent, Hollywood quickly approached Vijay. He was cast in 'Octopussy' (1983) after producer Albert R Broccoli met him while watching him play at Wimbledon. A problem arose because he was neither a member of British Equity nor of the Screen Actors Guild. Therefore Broccoli asked his friend Leonard Goldberg to arrange a guest appearance for Vijay on the television series "Fantasy Island" to receive SAG membership and subsequent Equity approval. Then playing Agent Vijay he co-starred with Roger Moore in the James Bond film 'Octopussy'.
Among Vijay's character's skills in the film was snake charming. During the shoot, Vijay was terrified of snakes and virtually unable to take part in any of the action. His character mentions this while disposing of the cobra in the basket, by telling Bond, "This was the wrong cover. I hate snakes." He later co-starred in 'Star Trek IV' with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. Vijay appeared as a guest on "The Tonight Show" with Johny Carson and "Good Morning America" in the US, as well as "Breakfast Time" and "Good Morning Britain" in the U.K. He guest starred in various TV Shows in the 70's and 80's, including "Hart to Hart" and "Fantasy Island" and went on to star in his ensemble cast series "The Last Precinct" and "What a Country."
Vijay addressed the United Nations in May 1988, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Special Committee against apartheid in South Africa. He was appointed United Nations Messenger of Peace on February 9, 2001, by Secretary-General Kofi Anan. Vijay was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India, for enhancing India's image overseas.
Vijay Amritraj credits his mother Margaret Amritraj, popularly known as Maggie, herself a tennis player with encouraging him to “accept challenges head on”, and for his global success. In his autobiography, he wrote - “How many families with all the right connections, facilities and geographical advantages try and fail to get one son or daughter through the gates of the All England Club with a competitor’s pass tied to their lapel? What kind of absurd vision did it take for one woman to believe that she could do it with three? (Anand, Vijay and Ashok) I suppose you have to know my mother to have some idea; even then, knowing her as well as I do, I am not sure I can fully explain it”.
In 2006, Vijay founded The Vijay Amritraj Foundation, an international charity serving the destitute in India. For Amritraj, it is important to leave a mark outside sport. “You need to be an example to the next generation that comes along,” he says. He continues to hit new heights in diverse fields by calling on the discipline and “desire to achieve success” he developed as a sportsman in the 1970s and 1980s. And in 2024 Vijay Amritraj became the first Asian to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame as a contributor and player.
After I met Vijay Amritraj recently as he was on his way to cover the Davis Cup in India I realized that I had never learned how to improve my forehand in tennis from the tennis champion. However, the self-effacing sports superstar has taught me something else - life is a long lesson in modesty.
