TORONTO, October 18, 2022 (Tennis Canada Press Release)
Canadian tennis legend Daniel Nestor has been named on the ballot for the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 in the Player Category. Nestor joins six returning nominees and two additional candidates in the Wheelchair Tennis Category.
Nestor, 50, enjoyed a storied playing career from 1991 until his retirement in 2018, winning eight doubles and four mixed doubles Grand Slam titles as well as an Olympic Gold medal (Sydney 2000) and four ATP Tour Finals doubles crowns. In total, Nestor claimed 91 career-titles, reigned as the No. 1-ranked doubles player in the world for over 100 weeks and held the record as the first player to win 1,000 ATP doubles matches. He was also a regular on Canada’s Davis Cup team having played in 53 ties, including the 2013 semi-finals against Serbia.
“It is overwhelming for me to be mentioned in the same breath as the best players of all time,” Nestor commented. “I have a tremendous appreciation to God, my family, friends, coaches and partners who have helped me achieve this nomination. Congratulations to the other nominees listed on the 2023 ballot, all of whom have enjoyed incredible careers in the sport.”
Candidates on the 2023 ballot will go before the Official Voting Group, which includes tennis journalists, historians and Hall of Famers, in the coming months. Fan voting for the Player Category will get underway on Thursday, October 20 and will conclude on Sunday, October 30. Cast your vote for Daniel Nestor for the International Tennis Hall of Fame at vote.tennisfame.com.
The top three candidates in the fan vote will receive added percentage points to their vote totals from the Official Voting Group. To be elected to the Hall of Fame, a nominee must receive an affirmative vote of at least 75% or higher from the combined total of the Official Voting Group result and any bonus percentage points earned in the fan vote.
“The nine nominees to the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 ballot are represent tennis’ greatest achievements, across multiple disciplines of the sport,” said Katrina Adams, chairperson of the ITHF’s Enshrinee Nominating Committee. “As a former player, I appreciate the hard work and professionalism each of these world-class athletes possess. Being recognized as candidates for tennis’ highest honor, induction into the Hall of Fame, is a momentous accolade.”
The Class of 2023 @TennisHalloFame ballot is out!
🇷🇸 @AnaIvanovic
🇪🇸 @CharlyMoya
🇿🇼 Cara Black
🇪🇸 @JuankiFerri
🇳🇱 @EstherVergeer
🇺🇸 Rick Draney
🇮🇹 @Flavia_Pennetta
🇺🇸 @Lisaraymond73
🇨🇦 @DanielNestor pic.twitter.com/hinvoUVyob— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 17, 2022
International Tennis Hall of Fame Nominees – Class of 2023 Player Category
• Daniel Nestor of Canada, former doubles World No. 1 and 12-time Grand Slam champion
• Cara Black of Zimbabwe, former doubles World No. 1 and an 11-time Grand Slam champion
• Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain, 2003 French Open champion and former World No. 1
• Ana Ivanović of Serbia, former World No. 1 and 2008 French Open champion
• Carlos Moyá of Spain, winner of the 1998 French Open and former World No. 1
• Flavia Pennetta of Italy, former doubles world No. 1 and 2015 US Open singles champion
• Lisa Raymond of the United States, winner of 11 Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles, and a former doubles World No. 1
International Tennis Hall of Fame Nominees – Class of 2023 Wheelchair Tennis Category
• Esther Vergeer of the Netherlands, 13-time ITF World Champion and 14-time NEC Wheelchair Masters Singles champion
• Rick Draney of the United States, 3-time ITF World Champion and former World No. 1 in quad doubles
Results from the fan vote will be announced shortly after the voting period. Following the Official Voting Group ballot, the Class of 2023 inductees will be announced in early next year with the Induction Ceremony scheduled for July 22, 2023.
For additional information on the Class of 2023 Fan Vote and the ITHF’s induction process, visit tennisfame.com.
