One would assume that these description fit for MS Dhoni, who piloted Indian cricket out of duress. However, here is a striking parallel to Dhoni. It is the 23 year old, new-found tennis sensation of India, Somdev Devvarman, who is a fairy tale now.Somdev Devvarman has a unique combination of Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam and Chennai and a bit of exposure to the University of Virginia in the US.
He was born in Assam to the Tripura-Meghalaya parents. His father, an income tax officer, was posted in Chennai for a decade and his family stayed close to the Sports Development Authority of Tamilnadu (SDAT) Tennis Stadium at Nungambakkam in the city.
An inspired Dev Bhuji, as Somdev Devvarman is known among his friends, could have developed love for the game probably by this proximity and began practicing in Chennai from his childhood.
The spark in him for the game enabled him to make a record during his stint in the US to win twice in succession the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) singles title, in 2007 and 2008. Somdev was the first Indian player to win so and the 13th in the US's 124-year history.
And the milestones he has laid in the hard court of the SDAT Stadium this Chennai Open season is a pointer to the fact that there is a beacon of hope for serious Indian tennis. His classic win over Carlos Moya, the former World No.1 and twice winner at the Chennai Open, and world no. 26 Ivo Carlovic of Croatia only substantiate to his grit and gumption to scale new heights in the game.
His conceding victory to the third-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia in the Chennai Open finals in straight sets may not be a dampener for his resolve to go places.
His ascension from a remote 1,036th place at the start of 2008 to 154 now is in fact a record of sorts. And the fight he showed against Marin Cilic was no doubt a valiant one. The way he plays the game with devotion and strength and the attitude he expresses towards the game portray him as a promising asset for the future of Indian tennis.
This is how Somdev Devvarman summed up his performance in Chennai: "I grew up in this town and it makes it special. I hope my performance inspires other kids and improves Indian tennis.
That's what it is all about," And this exactly is what most of the tennis czars of India foresee that the Somdev sensation would rejuvenate the game, attract many talented youth towards it and lead it to a promising future. What a find he is for the game! The lad had undoubtedly revved up the sporting event to a scintillating high in India that had legends in the past. With unexpected advances, he took the audience by surprise, prompting the gathering to chant his name as a magic mantra all through the event.
One would assume that these description fit for MS Dhoni, who piloted Indian cricket out of duress. However, here is a striking parallel to Dhoni. It is the 23 year old, new-found tennis sensation of India, Somdev Devvarman, who is a fairy tale now.Somdev Devvarman has a unique combination of Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam and Chennai and a bit of exposure to the University of Virginia in the US.
He was born in Assam to the Tripura-Meghalaya parents. His father, an income tax officer, was posted in Chennai for a decade and his family stayed close to the Sports Development Authority of Tamilnadu (SDAT) Tennis Stadium at Nungambakkam in the city.
An inspired Dev Bhuji, as Somdev Devvarman is known among his friends, could have developed love for the game probably by this proximity and began practicing in Chennai from his childhood.
The spark in him for the game enabled him to make a record during his stint in the US to win twice in succession the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) singles title, in 2007 and 2008. Somdev was the first Indian player to win so and the 13th in the US's 124-year history.
And the milestones he has laid in the hard court of the SDAT Stadium this Chennai Open season is a pointer to the fact that there is a beacon of hope for serious Indian tennis. His classic win over Carlos Moya, the former World No.1 and twice winner at the Chennai Open, and world no. 26 Ivo Carlovic of Croatia only substantiate to his grit and gumption to scale new heights in the game.
His conceding victory to the third-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia in the Chennai Open finals in straight sets may not be a dampener for his resolve to go places.
His ascension from a remote 1,036th place at the start of 2008 to 154 now is in fact a record of sorts. And the fight he showed against Marin Cilic was no doubt a valiant one. The way he plays the game with devotion and strength and the attitude he expresses towards the game portray him as a promising asset for the future of Indian tennis.
This is how Somdev Devvarman summed up his performance in Chennai: "I grew up in this town and it makes it special. I hope my performance inspires other kids and improves Indian tennis.
That's what it is all about," And this exactly is what most of the tennis czars of India foresee that the Somdev sensation would rejuvenate the game, attract many talented youth towards it and lead it to a promising future.
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