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Bio of guest speaker at
Fourth Annual SAJA Dinner

Saturday, May 16, 1998, in Manhattan

VIJAY AMRITRAJ
Tennis star-turned-sports journalist-&-media entreprenuer

For almost two decades, Vijay Amritraj was one of the most famous tennis players in the world, and was the top tennis player in Asia for 14 straight years. In recent years, Vijay has become a leading tennis commentator for Fox Sports in the US and STAR-TV in Asia. His California-based company, first serve entertainment, is one of the leading multimedia production companies that deals with Asian-American content, and helped Disney, Turner and ESPN enter the Indian market.

Tennis Achievements Played Wimbledon for 17 straight years Led India to Davis Cup finals in 1974 and 1987 Reached Wimbledon quarterfinals in 1973 & 1981, U.S. Open in 1973 & 1974 Number onel player in Asia for 14 years Has beaten the world's best in tennis: Bjorg, McEnroe, Connors, Lendl, Newcombe, Smith Founded BAT (Britannia Amritraj Tennis) Academy in India to develop future tennis champions. It is the program of its kind in all of Asia in any sport. 5-time president of the ATP Tour Players Council
Awards Only Asian to receive Baron Pierre de Coubertin Award. Padma Shree award from Indian government Key to the City of Los Angeles