Somdev Devvarman: Djokovic vs Alcaraz rivalry is simply so good for the sport

Going into this yr’s US Open, the largest speaking level is one other potential generational ultimate between the highest two male gamers on the planet – Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz, the 20-year-old Spaniard, is the defending champion in New York. Djokovic is again at Flushing Meadows after lacking final yr’s version as a consequence of restrictions on worldwide travellers who’re unvaccinated towards COVID-19.

The duo has confronted one another 3 times this yr – the French Open semifinal, the Wimbledon ultimate and the Cincinnati ultimate – with the final two going the gap.

With Roger Federer already retired and Rafael Nadal maybe within the final stage of his profession, it’s the battle between Alcaraz and Djokovic that may outline how males’s tennis will look within the subsequent three to 4 years.

“The Alcaraz-Djokovic rivalry is simply so good for the sport, isn’t it? Each approach you have a look at it, even the timing at which it got here. One was sort of questioning if Novak would really exit and get these 27-30 Slams that folks have claimed. If there may be anyone who can cease that, it’s Carlos Alcaraz,” stated Somdev Devvarman in a digital media interplay.

Former World No. 62 Somdev added, “Let’s even be somewhat practical about it. Alcaraz is simply getting higher… He’s solely 20 years previous. Novak is 36. That’s the reality. In his interviews, he did say, ‘After I was at my peak, it jogged my memory of enjoying Nadal.’ It clearly means he seems like he’s not at his peak proper now, and it’s laborious. He’s 36 years previous. How is he going to be at his peak?

Somdev feels that each Djokovic and Alcaraz are motivated to win as many Slams as they’ll, and it’ll finally boil right down to how the Serbian’s physique holds up.

“The rivalry that Novak and Alcaraz are actually beginning to kind, [it] has been nice for the game, and I do hope that it continues for at the very least a pair years as a result of they’re enjoying some epic matches already, and we’re going to know the way a lot Alcaraz is demanding from somebody like Novak and the way a lot Novak, at that age, can actually give and the way a lot can he face up to it bodily,” he stated.

“We all know he can do it mentally and emotionally. He’s obtained the expertise behind him, however bodily, will his physique enable him to maintain up with someone like Alcaraz? That’s the actual query.”

Situation of Indian tennis and expectations from Asian Video games

Former Davis Cupper Somdev additionally spoke in regards to the current state of affairs of Indian tennis. Three Indians – Ankita Raina, Karman Kaur Thandi and Sumit Nagal – have been concerned within the qualifiers of the US Open, however none of them might attain the principle draw.

“India is in a precarious place relating to skilled tennis as a result of we’re not likely knocking on the door of the highest 100 but, in women and men. It’s simply the very fact – the rankings don’t lie.

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The excellent news is Ankita has proved that she will play at a superb stage. She got here very shut to creating the principle draw. Karman has potential. She bumped into a troublesome draw towards Oceane Dodin from France. She has the firepower, a giant serve, and a large forehand. Can she keep wholesome for an extended season? That’s the massive query.

Sumit is coming off hip surgical procedure and at last feeling snug on a courtroom. He misplaced a troublesome match to Taro Daniel, however earlier within the season, he’s received a few Challengers already,” stated the 38-year-old.

Can India anticipate a medal in tennis on the upcoming Asian Video games in China the place powerful competitors is anticipated from the Kazakhs, the Japanese, the host nation and the Koreans?

Somdev feels the Indians should not going to be favourites in just about any of the occasions, and the one class through which the nation has an opportunity is males’s doubles. “In males’s doubles, you’re going to have Rohan (Bopanna) enjoying with Ramkumar Ramanathan. That’s most likely our greatest medal hope. Take note, that Sania (Sania Mirza) isn’t enjoying within the girls’s doubles. However in singles, in women and men, it’s a really tall process,” he stated.

In accordance with Somdev, the Indian tennis system wants to vary with the intention to spot higher expertise and requires higher teaching and match constructions.