« Back to article

Print this article

'You are never going to have an easy match at Olympics'

Somdev Devvarman could not have asked for a tougher beginning to his Olympic campaign.

Back in action after a nine-month injury lay-off he was handed a tough first round match against Finland's Jarkko Nieminen in the men's singles.

He is now eager to get back to action and give a good account of himself at the Olympics.

"I have played on the tour for four years and was doing well in the top 100 before I injured my right shoulder and have been out some time.

"It is my first match back. Playing in an Olympic field you are never going to have an easy match and I am going to have to play pretty well," he said, on Thursday, after a training session at Wimbledon.

 

'It is pretty humbling being in the Olympic Village'

Somdev was given a wild card for the singles as his ranking plummeted to 333 after he was out of action with a shoulder injury and needed a surgery to recover from the same last year.

The 27-year-old could not hide his delight of taking part in his first Olympics, saying he is thrilled to represent India.

"It is my first Olympics and it is pretty humbling being in the Olympic Village and seeing all the other athletes. It it is great to be able to represent your country. We have eight players over here, but I am the only one playing in the singles," he said.

'Jarkko is one of the friendliest guys on the tour'

Somdev is also not bothered about facing a tough opponent in the first round and is only looking forward to playing his first competitive match in a long time.

"Jarkko is one of the friendliest guys on the tour; I have practised with him about 20 times but I have never played him in a match. 

"I have great respect for the guy and I am pleased to have drawn him," he said.