Somdev Devvarman And A Young Crew Win Their Davis Cup Tie For India

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 4th February 2014

Somdev Devvarman And A Young Crew Win Their Davis Cup Tie For India

epa01360388 A net casts its shadow on a court at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 28 May 2008. EPA/PHILIPPE PERUSSEAU |

Somdev Devvarman says that with India’s recent Davis Cup win over Chinese Taipei without veterans Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi that it is time to shift focus toward the younger players.

India bested the mediocre squad of Chinese Taipei 5-0 in the Asia/Oceania Group I tie. Paes and Bhupathi, who have competed in a mountain of ties in the past, did not play in the tie.

Former touring Anand Amritraj sat in the captain’s chair. He replaced S P Misra, whose exit was a result of the players’ revolt. Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri , played singles with Rohan Bopanna and Saketh Myneni playing doubles.

“Let’s not focus on Leander and Mahesh,” the 28 year old Devvarman told PTI. “Let’s focus on the youngsters. Yuki Bambri asked me 15 times during and before and after my match what I need. And he knows I will do the same when he will play. So we are all here helping out each other. I think the focus should not be there on Leander or Mahesh. The focus should be on the group of guys who are here. We appreciate everything they have given us but now we need to move on. Mahesh has said he is done this year. Leander is a fantastic player, unfortunately he is not available for national duty this year but we will just go ahead. No matter, who is there or not there. We will try to make the best of whatever we have.”

Devvarman also said that he is no longer displeased with Chennai tournament organizers who in January did not extend him a doubles wild card into the tournament, which is the only ATP-level one in India.

“ My agreement with the organizers is that everything will be in confidentiality and I don’t want to break that,” he said. “If they have broken that it, that’s not my concern. We have sorted those differences and it is okay.”

Devvarman was crucial in for the formation of Indian players’ association, which has been negotiating with the All India Tennis Association over a variety of issues. Devvarman says that the players are getting along and moving in the right direction.

“We have done the camp in Hyderabad, we have raised [money] for the players, we had an event in Bombay and now for the next eight tournaments, we are sending a physio for all the players. So we are doing little things, which are key to players. I am on great terms with AITA and my aim is to try and make the scene in India better whether it is through this way or that. If AITA steps up, I will be the first one to be happy and say thank you. Now is an exciting time for Indian tennis. We have five potentially good guys playing in the Grand Slam Qualifiers. We have Saketh, Jeevan, Bala, Sanam and Yuki. If we as players come together and give these guys a push, we can really make it happen. So whether help comes from this side or that side, it does not make a difference.”

Devvarman added that the Players’ Association sent a physio to Sania Mirza’s camp and is not around to hurt anyone.

“Despite the differences that have crept in among the founding members of the Association, the work will continue,” he said. “The core of the association is very strong. All the guys are on great terms. In Mumbai, we had Sania and Mahesh helping out. These are the things that have not been done before, so why not start now. Sometimes people say to go ahead, you push other person down. Why push each other down, help him up and both of you help each other up. This is how the Spanish guys do and the French guys do.”

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Davis Cup, India, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News