Somdev Devvarman, Yuki Bhambri, SAnia Mirza & Co. Could bring glory at the Ccommonwealth Games in October.
For the last decade and a half two players have been the torchbearers of Indian tennis on the world map: Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi. With both of them now on the wrong side of 30, the Commonwealth Games will give us a fair indication of whether or not Indian tennis is still in good hands.
In Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri, India have two players who have shown that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level. Devvarman, ranked 109 in the world, will spearhead the Indian charge in the singles contests, along with Bhambri.
According to former Davis Cupper Gaurav Natekar, the chances of winning a medal in tennis are quite high. “In singles, doubles as well as mixed doubles we have an extremely good chance,” he says.
Sania Mirza was battered in the media for matters relating to her high-profile wedding to Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik — but she too will be a contender for a medal, in the women’s field. She has been badly hampered by injuries but there is hope that she will be fit to lead the women’s charge.
Devvarman lost in the first round of the French Open earlier this week, but is upbeat about his chances. “It is a big event for the year and hopefully I will be ready to deliver,” says the 25-year-old. He is delighted at how things have gone in the last 18 months or so and says that his greater experience should come in handy. “Having played with some of the top-ranked players should hold me in good stead when the Games come around,” he says.
In the mixed doubles it is likely that Rohan Bopanna will partner Mirza. Though the pair hasn’t won any major tournament, Natekar feels they have good mutual understanding, as they showed in the Hopman Cup. “If Sania remains injury-free and in good form, I think she can do very well,” says Natekar.
They may not be best friends off court, but when it comes to national pride Paes and Bhupathi have both set aside their differences to play together. It is very likely that the 2010 Games will be among the last major events at which they play together.
Paes-Bhupathi’s record speaks for itself. Bhupathi recently was asked about India’s chances at the Commonwealth Games. His answer sounded extremely confident. “I think we have an excellent chance of winning medals,” he was quoted as saying.
All eyes, however, will be on how Devvarman fares. He reached the second round of last year’s US Open, and the finals of the 2009 Chennai Open as well. He is looking forward to competing at Wimbledon and is already preparing for this year’s grass-court season. One of Devvarman’s aims is to break into the top 100. If he continues to play in recent form it’s only a matter of time before that happens. “One thing at a time,” though, says the Texas-based player. “I am training hard and I hope that playing in front of the home crowd will be a great experience.”
Bhambri, who is a former junior world number one and won the Australian Open juniors title in 2009, is tipped for great things. Only 18 years old, he is making the transition from juniors to seniors.
Jaidip Mukherjea, veteran coach, has been mentoring the probables for the Games, feels the biggest threat will come from Australia, Canada and England . “They have some talented players and will be our main challenge.” He is quite happy with the pool of players he is working with and says that the future of Indian tennis isn’t as bleak as some people might think. He is certain that the likes of Bhupathi, Paes and Mirza will be among the medal favourites.
Mirza has had wretched luck with injuries and must be hoping that people’s interest turns to her professional life rather than her personal life. Ranked 92 in the world, she is scheduled to make her comeback sometime next month.
Although Paes and Bhupathi haven’t shown any signs yet of calling it a day, the 2012 Olympics are only a distant possibility. Tennis fans will be hoping, if the Commonwealth Games are to be the pair’s last hurrah, that the two end with smiles on their faces and with the assurance that after them the new crop of players, too, can continue to deliver the goods.
