Dubai: While Indian tennis has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent times, there was one heartening piece of news the day the Olympics wildcards were announced last week. Somdev Devvarman realised a dream when he was picked to be India’s lone representative in the men’s singles.
“I feel really honoured to be able to represent India at the Olympics. It’s been a childhood dream and I am very excited at the opportunity,” India’s No 1 singles player told Gulf News.
A nagging shoulder injury has kept Devvarman out of action since the beginning of the year and two months back he seemed mentally prepared to miss the Olympics.
While he started his rehab with an eye on the Olympics, a frustrated Devvarman said back then: “I can’t put a date as to when I will be back to playing yet. I am in constant touch with my doctors and coach and will be back whenever they think fit.” It was hence more out of hope that the 27-year-old, who revels in team situations, sent a request to the Games organisers for a wildcard and he is naturally thrilled to find himself among a seven-member tennis squad.
While the tennis contingent boasts of the likes of Leander Paes — for whom it will be a sixth Olympics — and other Games veterans like Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza, it’s going to be a first for late bloomer Devvarman. After turning professional four years back on the back of a stunning season in American college tennis, Devvarman showed his potential immediately by reaching the final of Chennai Open in 2009.
Ever since the Roger Federer fan has often shown he is capable of producing the unpredictable — like in the BNP Paribas Open last year when he beat Marcos Baghdatis and Xavier Malisse in successive rounds. Much like Paes, Devvarman has also showed a big heart when it comes to the national cause. There have been quite a few memorable Davis Cup wins like the one over Janko Tipsarevic.
But the task will be cut for him this time around with question marks lingering over his fitness.
Asked how he was doing in the race for match fitness, Devvarman said: “I am working towards being completely fit and prepared for the Games. The next few weeks are going to be very focused and intense training to get me there.”
Will being the only singles player from his country be impetus enough? “It’s always a different thrill to be playing for the country. It’s nice to have a team or the country behind you, supporting you, cheering you on. Victory tastes that much sweeter,” Devvarman said.
Asked which one of his victories was the high point of his career, Devvarman said: “It’s been tough to pick… there have been quite a few. But I think winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games [2010] was pretty special.”
Even though very much a journeyman on the Tour (his career high in ATP singles rankings was 62 last year), Devvarman showed refreshing candour when asked about the growing call for a shorter season from some of the top players.
“I think it’s necessary to have a short season. Tennis is a strenuous game and it takes a toll on your body. The short time we have off is spent in training, so a shorter season would definitely be helpful,” he said.
