Tennis guides life of India's Amritraj

• 16th annual USTA/Hawai'i Pacific Section Tennis Weekend

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Vijay Amritraj wears many hats and has worn out a lot of sneakers.

He is in Kona today for the 16th annual Tennis Weekend because between acting, running a multi-media corporation, carrying the Olympic torch, organizing charitable events and promoting peace for the United Nations, he played a little tennis.

Amritraj played Davis Cup for India for 20 years. He reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and was Asia's No. 1 player for 14 years. Amritraj also served as president of the ATP Tour players council five times.

"It is quite incredible, unimaginable to think where I started and what the potential was," says Amritraj, who grew up in India. "It could never have happened if I'd gone on to higher education and worked for a local firm. The opportunities and choices afforded me because of this game are overwhelming."

He is 48 now, and tennis has been a major focus of his life since 14. He got his start between hospital stays.

Born with a breathing problem because his lungs were too close together, India's first professional athlete didn't go to school early in life because it was too tiring to get there. His mother took notes and usually brought them to the hospital, where he averaged four hours a day the first eight years of his life.

"I started playing tennis because they wanted me to go to school and get healthy," Amritraj recalls. "At first I'd play two minutes and sit six minutes. I could run 10 yards. Eventually I was running 10 miles every morning. It took a long time.

"Even today, when I fall sick, I go play and it goes away."

He was Asia's top player at age 17 and among the world's Top 10 within three years. In the midst of his professional career — he won 16 tournaments and beat everyone from Bjorn Borg to John McEnroe — Amritraj was "picked off Centre Court" at Wimbledon and asked to take a screen test.

That led to a feature part in James Bond's "Octopussy". He went on to appear in "Star Trek IV" and several TV series, the latest being "Walker, Texas Ranger".

"It was one of the most enjoyable things I've done in my life," Amritraj says. "It teaches you a different form of discipline, and I did something I've always enjoyed — the world of make believe."

Not that he ever ran from reality.

The Vijay Amritraj Trust & Charities focuses on orphaned children and senior citizen causes in India. His Britannia Amritraj Tennis academy in India is promoted as the "only program of its kind in any sport in all of Asia" to train gifted juniors; Leander Paes, India's top player, is a graduate.

Amritraj has brought tennis tournaments to his country, produced television series and is an anchor for ESPN Star Sports, shown in 60 Asian and Middle Eastern countries. He is president of First Serve Entertainment, Inc., in California and chairman of First Serve in India. Both companies consult and market for media and sports businesses.

Last February, Amritraj was appointed the eighth United Nations Messenger of Peace, joining an eclectic group that includes Nobel Peace Prize winners, Muhammad Ali, Luciano Pavarotti and Dr. Jane Goodall.

Amritraj, whose charity work also involves AIDS awareness and several other causes, called the appointment his "Everest." He describes his work as representing the UN and its secretary general — "Visit hot spots in the world and attend summits and conferences and highlight issues that the UN tries to fix."

It is far from the tennis court and this weekend, which celebrates the sport in many forms. It is just as close to Amritraj's heart. As the family's athletic career moves into its second generation — son Prakash is a USC sophomore who played in this year's U.S. Open — Amritraj is taking on new challenges.

When he speaks this weekend, at the clinics and awards banquet, his topics will include much more than tennis and he will be hearing as much as talking.

"I enjoy these things because I'm able to learn as much as I give," he says. "It teaches me a lot. I listen and share ideas with pros and others, especially elements of coaching help because I'm coaching my boys."

"My message is quite simple. First of all, irrespective of age or teaching, tennis is certainly something you want to do regardless of how good you get. I try to explain how it has affected my life. I try to combine the two in my conversation as to what, in fact, can be achieved.

"Nothing so great and lucrative comes easy. The biggest element you have to look for is sacrifice, besides work and determination. Decide what you're willing to give up, then decide what direction you want to go."

16th annual USTA/Hawai'i Pacific Section Tennis Weekend

At Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort

Schedule

Saturday 10/26

• 7-7:45 a.m. – Tenniscize with Donnia Bondallian
• 8-8:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies
• 8 a.m.-3 p.m. – USTA Membership Appreciation Booth and Vendor Exhibition Booths
• 8-9:30 a.m. – Next Generation Junior Clinic (beginners ages 6-10)
• 8:30-10 a.m. – Adult Clinic with Vijay Amritraj
• 10-11 a.m. – Next Generation Junior Clinic (beginners ages 11-16)
• 10-11:30 a.m. – Adult Clinic with Gundars Tilmanis
• 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – Prince Demo Clinic
• 1-2 p.m. – USA Tennis Skills Challenge
• 2-3 p.m. – Wilson Demo Clinic
• 3-5 p.m. – USA Team Tennis All-Comers Challenge (19-older, individual sign-ups accepted until noon today)
• 6-9:30 p.m. – HPS Annual Meeting and *Awards Banquet (Guest speakers Gundars Tilmanis and Vijay Amritraj)

Sunday 10/27

• 8 a.m.-1 p.m. – USTA Membership Appreciation Booth and Vendor Exhibition Booths
• 8-9:30 a.m. – Adult clinic with Gundars Tilmanis
• 9-10 a.m. – Next Generation Junior Clinic (beginners ages 6-10)
• 9:30-11 a.m. – Junior Competition Clinic with Vijay Amritraj
• 10-11 a.m. – Next Generation Junior Clinic (beginners ages 11-16)
• 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Pot of Pros, clinic from Big Island pros
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. – Head Demo Clinic
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. – USA Team Tennis All-Comers Challenge Finals

* fee and registration required

All other events free. Clinics require no registration

Information: 955-6696

Special Guests

Vijay Amritraj: Played Davis Cup for India 20 years and Wimbledon 17, reaching quarterfinals. Top-ranked player in Asia for 14 years. Five-time ATP Tour players council president. Co-starred in "Octopussy" and "Star Trek IV." Appointed United Nations Messenger of Peace last year. Currently a sports journalist and "multi-media entrepreneur."

Gundars Tilmanis: Internationally recognized tennis coach, author and lecturer. Generally regarded as one of the top teaching clinicians. Clinician for the USTA and International Tennis Federation.

Michael Kolhoff: Completing his first term as Vice President on the USTA Board of Directors after serving two consecutive terms as secretary-treasurer. He is the Board Division Leader for the Communications/Marketing Division. First elected to the board in 1995, Kolhoff coordinated the development and adoption of the USTA's initial five-year strategic plan.