New Delhi: Jumping straight into the world’s biggest sporting event after an eight-month long forced sabbatical is not how an athlete would plan a comeback, but Somdev Devvarman says he is ready for the tough battle ahead in the London Olympics.
Somdev has been out of action due to a shoulder surgery since the start of the season and started practising only recently.
Ideally, he could have played some competitive tennis before the Games, which would have given him a chance to gauge his match fitness and sharpness, but Somdev opted out of Wimbledon, a tournament which would have given him vital clues about the conditions and the courts, crucial as the Olympics’s tennis events will be played at the same venue.
Somdev said he just followed his doctors’ advice to skip the grass court tournament, but is readying himself well for the Games.
Thanks to a wild card entry into the men’s singles, he will be one of the four Indians making his Olympic debut when the Games begin next month
“I am ready to make the most of the wild card. This is a very exciting time for me,” he said.
Somdev, known for his doggedness and penchant for playing long matches, said he is on the road to recovery and will do everything possible under the sun to get a good result for the country.
“It is a very, very competitive field. I’ll prepare really well and will do everything I can to be match-ready. Once I step on the court I will give it my all,” the Asian and CWG gold medallist said.
“The shoulder is healing very well. I have started hitting and so far so good.”
Somdev had made himself available to pair with Leander Paes for the men’s Olympic doubles just ahead of the announcement, but AITA chose Vishnu Vardhan instead.
The rumour mill had spread the word that this was because he is managed by Mahesh Bhupathi’s sports management company, Globosport.
Asked why he was not chosen by AITA, Somdev was cautious in his reply.
“I’m sure AITA had their reasons and I accept their decision,” he said.
Interestingly, he refused to comment when asked about the bitter selection row that enveloped Indian tennis recently. (PTI)