Devvarman Returns With Team In Mind
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By Leora Tanjuatco
Virginia Athletics Media Relations
Virginia fourth-year tennis player Somdev Devvarman might not have played in the U.S. Open this year, but that didn’t prevent his name from coming up in a post-match press conference.
Devvarman, the reigning NCAA Men’s Singles Champion, defeated John Isner of Georgia in May to take home the 2007 title. Three and a half months later, after Isner took Roger Federer, the world’s No. 1 player, to four sets in a third-round match on Arthur Ashe Court at the US Tennis Center, the international tennis press corps had a question for the rising American star.
“How good was the guy that beat you in the NCAAs,” a reporter asked. To this, Isner could only smile and assure the press that Devvarman is a tough competitor.
As the NCAA singles runner-up is making an immediate impact on the ATP Tour, the champion is sitting in a classroom on Grounds. Despite winning the biggest singles tournament in collegiate tennis and finishing the season atop the intercollegiate rankings, Devvarman chose to stay at Virginia for his senior year instead of going pro.
“One of the main reasons I stayed was to get a degree and finish up my undergraduate education,” Devvarman said. “The second reason was to win a national team championship. We haven’t done it yet and I came here to do that. I think this year we have a team that has the ability to do it.”
Led by Devvarman, the National Player of the Year, and fellow All-American Treat Huey, last year’s Cavalier team reached the semifinals of the NCAA tournament, only to fall to eventual champion Georgia. It marked the first time an ACC team had ever gone that far in the championship. Six of the seven starters from that squad return, and the 2007-08 Virginia roster includes several impact newcomers.
“Our team is very focused after last year and with most of us back, we are very confident about the season,” Devvarman said. “Then to add such talented newcomers, it will only make us better. In both singles and doubles, they’re going to be pushing the whole team to do better and have better practices. That really strengthens our whole lineup, so I’m excited about the team we have this year.”
With a roster full of players who could be considered among the best in collegiate tennis, the expectations for the upcoming season are high. But hype is something that Devvarman has already learned how to deal with.
“I’m not really going to go out there and say that we’re going to have an undefeated season or we’re definitely going to come home with a national championship,” Devvarman said. “But I’d like to say that we have a better chance than a lot of teams and we’re definitely frontrunners.”
As the team’s co-captain, Devvarman understands the importance of his role, especially at this point of the year.
“In the beginning of the season, it’s always tough because you have different people from different backgrounds trying to assert their authority and claim their particular spot in the lineup,” Devvarman said. “But that’s not what it’s about at this point. At this point of the season, we’re just trying to push each other to have a great team and good team chemistry, and that’s one of the most challenging parts of being a leader.”
In his second year as captain, along with Huey, Devvarman appears to be handling it well.
“Right now, the guys seem to be getting along great, and Treat and myself both do the best we can to show the guys how it’s done on and off the court.”
Devvarman certainly showed his ability on the courts this summer, when he competed as an amateur in the Kennedy Funding Invitational outside of New York and Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington. At the Kennedy Invitational, he reached the final defeating three players ranked in the top 200 in the world: Ricardo Mello, Robert Kendrick and Justin Gimelstob. At Legg Mason, he advanced out of qualifying to reach the main draw of the US Open Series event. Although he was definitely noticed more for his playing ability, Devvarman contributes some of the attention to Virginia’s prestige and reputation.
“Coming from UVa, a lot of people take notice just because you come from such a good school,” said Devvarman. “It gave me an opportunity to play in a lot of tournaments this summer that I wouldn’t have had a chance to play otherwise. I was proud to be representing the school and our program when I was playing this summer.”
With Devvarman returning to lead a talented team of proven veterans and impressive newcomers, the 2007-08 season should be a special one. The hundreds of fans that pack the Boyd Tinsley Courts and the Snyder Tennis Center for every match will once again have a lot to cheer for. The Cavaliers again will be among the nation’s elite, with a chance to make even more history.