Q&A with Somdev Devvarman

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Virginia senior tennis player Somdev Devvarman is one of four Cavaliers playing their final regular season home matches this weekend. The top-ranked player in the ITA singles rankings has lead the No. 1 Cavaliers to a 23-0 overall record and a 9-0 mark in the ACC. He caught up with VirginiaSports.com to look back on his career and preview the rest of the season.

Question: This weekend is your senior day. When you look back at when you came to Virginia four years ago, did you have any idea that you would accomplish so much in your time at UVa?
Devvarman: I didn’t put in any expectations. I have had a great time here. Playing my last two (regular season) matches at home is special, I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. I am really excited for this weekend.

Question: Is Sunday’s match going to feel any different because of the all the senior day ceremonies?
Devvarman: I have stood on the other side for three years and seen a lot of other guys graduate. Now it is my turn. I really don’t know what to expect. Hopefully we will have a big crowd out here. That would mean a lot to all the seniors.

Question: The team enters this weekend 9-0 in the ACC. Last year, you went undefeated, 11-0, in the conference. What would it mean to do it in consecutive years?
Devvarman: It definitely would show how good our coaches are and how hard we work. Being dominant in your conference, in any sport, is a big achievement. We just have to give our coaches all the credit for that.

Question: This season, you have been No. 1 every week in singles and doubles and the team has been No. 1 every week. How has it been playing all season with a big target on your back with a No. 1 ranking?
Devvarman: We have high expectations for this program. We are happy with the position we are in but we are still looking to continue to get better. People are always looking to beat us, but that is just something you have to deal with when you are the best team in the country. You have to be ready to play every time you step out on the court because you are going to get the other team’s best shot and that is what we do every match.

Question: When you look at the other top college players from last season John Isner is in the top 100 in the world, Kevin Anderson is nearing the top 100 and just beat Novak Djokovic who is No. 3 in the world, players you beat multiple times last season do you ever wonder where you would be right now had you turned pro after winning the NCAA Singles Championship?
Devvarman: Not at all. I am totally happy for those guys. I don’t regret the decision to come back to school at all. This is where my heart really was. I am going to be done with college in a short time and I know I will be ready for the tour at that time. Until then, I am focused on continuing to get better and better and to help my team.

Question: You have accomplished a lot in your career at Virginia, but the team is still looking for that first team NCAA Championship. How much does that motivate you for the remainder of this season?
Devvarman: More than that, I just want to make sure our team is ready for every single match. Everyone knows that our main goal is to win a national championship. We have to go about doing that the right way, which is to focus on each match one at a time. I think we are in the right direction so I am very happy about that.

Question: The ACC Tournament is next week and the NCAA Tournament is just a month away. Is this team where it needs to be to have success in the postseason?
Devvarman: We have definitely had some bright spots. Our doubles play is getting better. Once all the guys are healthy we will be in a good spot. After ACCs we have a whole month to train for NCAAs. I think this team gets the idea of working hard and enjoying every single practice and every single match. We realize that we are all part of something very special and not a single guy will do anything to let the rest of the team down.

Question: Virginia continues to lead the nation in attendance. What does it mean to you and this team to have that kind of support for home matches?
Devvarman: It is awesome. I have seen the fan support grow over my four years and this is year is just unbelievable. When I have talked to guys on other teams, they always say how UVa is one of the best places to play in the country. I definitely agree with that. Our fan base is awesome. The student body comes out to support us. I would really like to thank everyone for coming out and we will see some more faces this weekend.