India has one of the fastest growing economies on earth and many experts are predicting that the 21st century will be one to remember for the South Asian nation. These experts are referring to the country's potential standing within in the international community, yet India is, once again, making headway in tennis.
When one thinks of Indian sport, one cannot help but think of cricket or field hockey. While relatively popular, tennis has always waned in popularity when compared to other sports. All that changed, even if only for a brief period, last week, when the Indian Davis Cup team touched down on home soil, having secured their place in the 2010 Davis Cup World Group.
The Indian team had beaten South Africa 4-1 and received a heroes welcome back in India. In fact, it was a greeting you would expect to see for a victorious Indian cricket team, but the power of the Davis Cup can't be denied. Unlike any other tennis tournament, the Davis Cup has the ability to unite a country.
Two of the four-strong Indian team are well-known faces. After all, the doubles specialists, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, have numerous major titles to their names. For over a decade, the two of them have ensured that Indian tennis remains relevant. Nevertheless, the Indians have lacked talent when it comes to singles.
All of that could be changing. Somdev Devvarman is set to make his mark on men's tennis. The 24-year-old is currently ranked 133rd in the world. Over the last year, he has made steady progress and rose to prominence when he defeated Marin Cilic at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic. Prior to these exploits, he was dominating proceedings whilst at the University of Virginia. During his college playing days, he won the NCAA Singles Championship in two consecutive years.
Devvarman may never challenge the very best, but he is still improving. If he continues on the path he's on, he could well have entered the world's top 50 by this time next year. In which case, the Indian public will have yet another reason to rejoice.
Perhaps the most exciting prospect in Indian tennis is the 17-year-old Yuki Bhambri. As yet, he hasn't represented India in the Davis Cup, but there is very little doubt that it's only a matter of time before he does. The youngster from New Delhi is a world No. 1 junior player, as well as winning the 2009 Australian Open Boy's Singles title. As a result, he has earned a wild card into the 2010 Australian open main draw.
It's hard to gauge just how good the future is going to be for Indian tennis, but the potential is there to create some serious ripples in the men's game. Upon the country's return to the World Group for the first time in 11 years, they will be traveling to Russia. They could've been rewarded with an easier first round tie, but as Israel's remarkable run in this year's Davis Cup proved, anything is possible.
India may well become a superpower on the political scene, but it's also a real possibility that India could soon be amongst tennis' elite.
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