Somdev Devvarman was the main protagonist in a stunning tale of success as Indian tennis savoured some great and rare moments in 2009, a year which promised to change the face of the game in the country.
From junior stage to the highest level of the game, India had its moments of ecstasy and exultation as as Somdev, Sania Mirza, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and teenager Yuki Bhambri all contributed to the success story.
Somdev gave India a new identity on the Tour by excelling in singles and old warhorses Paes and Bhupathi proved they are still a force to reckon with in doubles by winning three more Grand Slams.
Sania Mirza continued adding firsts to her name as she became India's first female tennis player to win a Grand Slam title when she triumphed at the Australian Open along with compatriot Bhupathi in the mixed doubles event in January.
From a junior Grand Slam title to a berth in the Davis Cup World Group, achievements were recorded throughout the year, bringing a lot of relief for the game in India.
And it all started with the sensational arrival of Somdev on the big stage in the first month of the year when the US Collegiate champion created ripples by reaching the final of the Chennai Open, India's only ATP event.
When he mowed down the bigwigs like former world number one Carlos Moya and world number 25 Ivo Karlovic, it became crystal clear that the winds of change had started blowing in the Indian tennis. He jumped to world number 126 in ATP ranking from 204 and with him Indian tennis also took a giant leap forward.
Somdev did not win any title but his fearless game, sheer professionalism and audacity won him many an admirer and made him the new poster boy of the Indian tennis. Suddenly in a week's gap, from a mere participant he was seen as a contender on the Tour though a prolonged lull followed after his stellar Chennai Open show.
Everytime he stepped on the court people expected him to win but the Assamese took his own time to grow and adjust to the challenges of the extremely difficult Tour.
More than anything, Somdev had belief that he belonged to the league of big boys and just substantiated it when he avenged his Chennai Open final defeat against Marin Cilic by beating the Croat at Legg Mason Tennis Classic. He had to wait till the last Major of the year to make his debut at a Grand Slam and his entry into the singles main draw of the US Open ended India's seven-year long wait to see a player competing at that stage.
Finally, India's challenge in men's tennis was not confined to just doubles competition. Sania, on her part, followed up her maiden Slam win by reaching the final of Pattaya City event next month but struggled the remainder of the year to repeat that.
Comments