Somdev Dev Varman ...

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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by jaydeep »

Is this undeclared retirement?
He has started sports startup with Arun Karthik and Vikram Menon in Chennai and yesterday tweeted -
Somdev Devvarman
Yesterday at 10:44am · Twitter

Looking for people with good sales & marketing skills to work for my sports startup in Chennai
@getfitgrp. Write to contactus@getfitgroup.in
Here is link of his site - Mini Sport
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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by sameerph »

Not necessarily. He can also do this part time. Probably preparation of his post tennis career but not necessarily the end of the road, I guess. Sania and Rohan also have a tennis academy but are still very much active on pro circuit.

One of the advisors is Scott McCain who is mentioned as to be currently coaching Somdev. So, he may still come back. :D
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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by arjun2761 »

No better person than Somdev to do this! He is easily among the fittest Indian sportsmen in any discipline. However, if his injuries allow it, would love to see him make one more foray on the tour given that he had a really late start to his professional career...
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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by prasen9 »

Somdev did win an Asian Games gold in doubles if my memory is right. Maybe he should try doubles. I suspect that he does not enjoy doubles, though :-(
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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by Rahb »

Somdev DevvarmanVerified account
‏@SomdevD
Starting 2017 on a new note, retiring from pro tennis. Thanks to everyone for the love and support over the years. #newyearnewbeginnings

Here is the official announcement
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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by PKBasu »

Sad news. I thought he could have had a couple more fruitful years on the pro tour, but he knows his body best.
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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by jayakris »

Always sad to hear of a retirement, but Buji did the very best he could, at all times in his career. Played topnotch tennis when he was injury-free. Won medals at all events for India where he was expected/seeded to win medals (without fail, right?)... What else could we ask? Best of luck, Buji!!!!

I can't believe how fast time flies. Feels like yesterday when I was driving a 17 year old Buji to the Costa Mesa futures and advising him to bend his knees on his serve (like I knew tennis!)... and having him be the door-guard at our Los Angeles Onam function, to keep the crowd out before the feast as we were setting the banana leaves on tables. Buji and Sunil Kumar as the able-bodied boys at the door, telling people to wait. Who knew then, that he would have the kind of career he had. Probably nobody but Somdev himself (and PKB and I) expected him to do as well as he did, back about 15 years ago. He has nothing to be ashamed of, in his tennis career. Thank you Somdev, for everything!

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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by Ram »

Sad News indeed! I have been fortunate to interact with him quite a few times in the recent past and have always been in awe. Humble, professional, articulate and sharp person. All traits to make him successful in whatever path he decides to take. An ideal role model for aspiring sportsmen. Hope he can get to a position to direct and manage sports,especially tennis, in India. ATB Som!
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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by jaydeep »

Sad but expected news ... Thanks Buji for everything ... Wishing you all success in your future endeavors.
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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by PKBasu »

The injuries proved too debilitating in the end, I suppose.
But he gave us so many wonderful highs, with golds at the Commonwealth Games and Asiad. Superb Davis Cup play, and the thrill of having our first top-100 player in the 21st century, once LP had moved permanently to doubles. All the best in the future, Buji!
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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by cricketics »

This news made me post here after a while and not just remain a lurker. It has made me sad all of a sudden on this new year day.

He was the reason why I would buy tickets to US Open in recent history. He gave me reason to proudly wear Indian jersey among the new york crowd.
It is always sad to hear about any retirement and this feels the same if you are an Indian tennis fan.I have met Somdev few times at US Open and he was always a good, humble down to earth person who would always give it all he had to win or challenge even higher seeded opponents.


Farewell Somdev.
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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by PKBasu »

Two times NCAA singles champion (one of only 3 to have won back to back NCAA singles titles since 1950), and the only one to have made three consecutive NCAA singles finals.
Gold in singles and doubles at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
Gold in singles at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. (Also the team bronze there).
Davis Cup victories over Thomas Belluzi (to enable India to stun Brazil and re-enter the World Group), Janko Tipsarevic (in Serbia) and Yen-Hsun Lu.
Singles finals at the ATP Chennai Open 2009 and the ATP South Africa Open 2011 (losing tight matches to Marin Cilic and Kevin Anderson).
A career-high singles ranking of 62, the best by an Indian in the past 25 years.

Thanks for the memories, Buji!
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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by cricketics »

PKBasu wrote:Two times NCAA singles champion (one of only 3 to have won back to back NCAA singles titles since 1950), and the only one to have made three consecutive NCAA singles finals.
Gold in singles and doubles at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
Gold in singles at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. (Also the team bronze there).
Davis Cup victories over Thomas Belluzi (to enable India to stun Brazil and re-enter the World Group), Janko Tipsarevic (in Serbia) and Yen-Hsun Lu.
Singles finals at the ATP Chennai Open 2009 and the ATP South Africa Open 2011 (losing tight matches to Marin Cilic and Kevin Anderson).
A career-high singles ranking of 62, the best by an Indian in the past 25 years.

Thanks for the memories, Buji!
Can I borrow this post and share it elsewhere?
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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by sameerph »

Somewhat expected but sad news. I expected Somdev to come back and try for a last hurrah till few months back when he finally seemed to be making moves towards his next career steps ( tennis coaching).

I think Somdev achieved a lot more that what can be expected from the game that he had. His fitness and mental fortitude were top class and made up for lack of firepower in his game.

Just a bit sad that his career was a bit shorter compared to most of the other top 100-200 level pros. He turned pro in June 2008 and played his last match in March 2016 which is less than 8 years. With his kind of fitness level expected him to stay on the circuit longer than this. Perhaps, he stayed on at least a year longer than warranted on the US college circuit. But, we have discussed that bit to death earlier and what is gone is gone.

Overall, he was still the most successful Indian singles player after Leander Paes and one of the few in recent years to have achieved a top 100 ranking.

Well done, Buji and hope you have successful coaching career too.
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Re: Somdev Dev Varman ...

Post by prasen9 »

I think it is his style of play. Players like Nadal and Chang put a lot on their legs and bodies. So, they will wear out faster than someone like Federer.

I was hoping against hope that he would become a doubles specialist, but, I guess he is not interested. Also, maybe his style of play is not exactly suitable. But, tennis is tennis. And, he is smart. Winning a doubles gold at the Asiad is not easy. So, I was hoping he would try that route to give us some more memories. But, anyway, thank you for everything SKD.
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