Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi: Big names snub Commonwealth Games Tennis
The upcoming Commonwealth Games tennis tournament will be devoid of all the top ranked tennis players; however, interest could still be high locally with the Indian contenders ready to take advantage by producing a golden haul.
In the best of worlds, the debut of the game of tennis would have seen the likes of Marcos Baghdatis, Andy Murray, Samantha Stosur and Lleyton Hewitt all vying for top honours; however, neither of these contenders have given their names forward.
In fact, the women’s top seeding is expected to go to Elena Baltacha of Scotland, who has just managed to break into the top world WTA rankings on the very first occasion on her career at twenty seven years of age. On the men’s side, not even a single tennis
player in the world top 100 will play in Delhi.
Elena, while commenting on her preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Games said that she is all set for the competition and really looking forward to it.
“Yes, I will miss out on ranking tournaments. But the way I look at it, this will be my last chance to represent Scotland at something like the Commonwealth Games and ever since I heard it might be a possibility I have been adamant that I would be doing
it. I may not live in Scotland anymore, but my family is still up there and I love the idea of representing Scotland again,” she added.
The major threat to Elena’s hopes is likely to come from the Indian tennis star, Sania Mirza, whose performances on the WTA circuit over the past few seasons have turned the Indian into a big star in her home soil.
A serious wrist injury has affected her game this season; however, the Indian has been showing signs of regaining her top form in recent weeks and therefore New Delhi will be a major goal for her.
Mirza while commenting on her recent form said, “Coming back to the highest level of international competition from a serious injury was never going to be easy, but having won six of my last eight singles matches, I have gained momentum. International
tennis is all about pressure and it is something that one learns to deal with.”
Others to look out in the women’s section include Anastasia Rodionava, who will represent Australia in the absence of Samantha and Alicia Molik as well as promising Kiwi Marina Erakovic.
The men’s event is wide open, and once again, there is a great opportunity for the Indian tennis stars to succeed including the quick improving Somdev Devvarman, who has managed to break into the top ATP circuit over the last year after a successful college
career in America.
Somdev, who has recently played a major role in his team’s Davis Cup victory over Brazil, said that the event in New Delhi would still be thrilling despite the absence of the sport’s big stars.
“We have to respect the decision of every professional athlete. They are trying their best to preserve their bodies and are always trying to make the best decision for their careers. I think the Games are going to be exciting regardless. There are many
good players. If I am playing well, I will be a very tough guy to beat, so I am going to prepare as well as I can,” he added.
Rohan Bopanna, who recorded his career best doubles run at the United States Open tennis tournament this season in New York along with his doubles partner, Aisam Ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan, will be India’s second single’s contender in the men’s side.
The Indian side definitely can confidently rely on success in the men’s doubles with Devvarman and Rohan pairing together and Leander Paes refreshing his feted partnership with Mahesh Bhupathi.
It would be extremely difficult however; an Indian sweep of the five gold medals up for grabs at the Commonwealth Games is not something next to impossible and locally at least that would provide one of the major highlights of the event.
Tags: