EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - Somdev Devvarman

Indian tennis sensation Somdev Devvarman spoke to The Indian Tennis Blog about life after his giant-killing run to the final of the 2009 Chennai Open.

How helpful was the 3-week training with Andy Roddick before the Chennai Open. Did it play a part in your performance last week?
It was an incredible experience, training with Andy. He and Coach Larry Stefanki gave me some really good tips. Also training with someone who has been in the top 10 of the world for many years gave me great insight into how hard I need to work. It definitely had a big role in my performance in Chennai.

Any ranking goals for 2009?
I've never set any goals for myself as far as rankings are concerned. I just want to keep working hard and enjoying the hard work. The rankings will take care of themselves.

Any expectations from the Australian Open?
I go into the Australian Open with a lot of confidence as I feel I'm playing well. I have worked hard in the off season to prepare for a good showing in the Australian Open.

Which is your favourite career win - Moya, Karlovic, Kendrick (Lexington)...?
Probably Moya. He has been a former world No. 1 and he has been in top flight tennis for over a decade.

Given the Somdev-mania in India right now, it seems only a matter of time before you are offered your first ad. Will we see you endorsing something soon?
Well, I don't really concern myself with it. I have an excellent Management company in Mamba International and they will look after that aspect. I just want to keep my focus on playing tennis.

(Click here for another interview by Somdev Devvarman to The Indian Tennis Blog in October 2007, more than a year ago -- when he hadn't turned professional yet)

FROM THE ARCHIVES
Somdev Devvarman wins at Lexington, his fourth title in a row

Somdev Devvarman misses out on ACC player honour

Twin triumph for Somdev Devvarman at Rochester

Somdev Devvarman's twin triumph at Florida

Tennis Briefs - Somdev goes down fighting in Chennai

Reuters, CHENNAI: Third-seeded Croatian Marin Cilic defeated Indian wildcard Somdev Devvarman 6-4 7-6 to win the Chennai Open on Sunday. For more, click here

The Press Trust of India, CHENNAI: The Chennai Open will remain in the city for at least another five years with increased prize money and a title sponsor. For more, click here

The Times of India, BANGALORE: Comeback girl Sania Mirza made a strong statement in the World Team Challenge tennis tournament in Hong Kong on Friday when she dismissed world No.25 Agnes Szavay of Hungary to give the Asia Pacific team a 2-0 win over a Europe side led by world No.1 Jelena Jankovic. For more, click here

Sportstar: By winning the singles title in the under-18 section of the Orange Bowl in Miami, the 16-year-old Yuki Bhambri has not only become the No. 2 in the world junior rankings but also the best hope for 2009. For more, click here

ATP RANKINGS (12 January 2009)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
154 (+48) Devvarman, Somdev
209 (-3) Amritraj, Prakash
316 (+16) Bopanna, Rohan

DOUBLES
6 (0) Bhupathi, Mahesh
10 (0) Paes, Leander
76 (0) Bopanna, Rohan

WTA RANKINGS (12 January 2009)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
107 (-7) Mirza, Sania
196 (0) Rao, Sunitha
361 (0) Lakhani, Isha

DOUBLES
60 (+1) Mirza, Sania
218 (+1) Rao, Sunitha
309 (+1) Uberoi, Shikha

Somdev Dev Varman to miss Chennai Open

Rafael Nadal leads a phalanx of tennis stars at India's premier tennis event, the 2008 Chennai Open, but several Indian players will be giving the ATP Tour season opener the cold shoulder. Unfortunately, upcoming player Somdev Dev Varman is now on that list.

Dev Varman admits that the lack of a wildcard was one of the reasons that will keep him away from Nungambakkam Stadium next week.

"Yeah, that and some other things that I had to do also," the reigning NCAA champion told the Indian Tennis Blog. "I am training right now and plan on playing a Futures in Florida and then start the tennis season in school."

The wildcards for the main draw of the 2008 Chennai Open, to be held from December 31 to January 6, have gone the way of India's no. 2 player Prakash Amritraj and Grasscourt National Champion Vishnu Vardhan.

The third, which could have gone to another Indian player like Dev Varman, has been granted to Spaniard Bartolome Salva-Vidal.

The decision puts yet another dampener on a tournament already missing the best known names in Indian tennis.

While doubles specialist Leander Paes starts off his 2008 season on the Australian circuit with new partner Paul Hanley, singles no. 1 Rohan Bopanna will be busy partnering Sania Mirza at the Hopman Cup. And Mahesh Bhupathi will be making his comeback from injury the week after the Chennai event.

Dev Varman is currently ranked a measly 1034 on the ATP Tour, thanks to his decision not to turn professional till mid-2008, when he finishes his stint at the University of Virginia.

But the 22-year-old won the NCAA championship in May 2007 - the first Indian to triumph at the premier American collegiate event and emulate the likes of John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors and Arthur Ashe.

INTERVIEW (Oct 2007)

Bhupathi not sure about playing Chennai Open

Doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi may not be playing at India's premier tennis event, the ATP Chennai Open, which kicks off on December 31.

Bhupathi, still recovering from back surgery, said he is determined to make it to the Australian Open in January with new partner Mark Knowles of the Bahamas. But the decision to play in Chennai would be taken at the last minute.

"I have been hitting with Rohan (Bopanna) and others... and will be pushing myself over the next few days," the 33-year-old told The Telegraph from Bangalore on Monday.

Bhupathi, currently ranked 21st in the world, has won the Chennai Open four times - all with estranged partner Leander Paes.

The US $436,000 hardcourt tournament in Chennai has been an annual feature since 1997 and only the four doubles titles in 1997, 98, 99 and 2002 have been won by Indians.

A wrist injury had kept Bhupathi from playing the 2007 edition of the tournament while Paes skipped the event to play in Doha.

In case both Paes and Bhupathi opt out in 2008, India's title hopes at Chennai would have rested in the hands of Rohan Bopanna -- currently ranked a career-best 66 in doubles. But the 27-year-old has already committed to partnerng Sania Mirza for the Hopman Cup team event - which clashes with the Chennai Open. Bopanna and Prakash Amritraj were the losing finalists at Chennai in 2006.