Somdev Devvarman: The indomitable

Guwahati, Feb. 8: The Income Tax Colony was its usual self, with hardly anyone aware that their neighbour’s son, Somdev Dev Varman, had created Davis Cup history by becoming the first from the Northeast since the Seventies to represent India at the tournament.

In the Dev Varman household, Somdev’s mother Ranjana was proud of her son’s achievement despite his straight set loss (3-6, 4-6, 2-6) to Uzbek rival D. Istomin at the DLTA court in Delhi today. India ended the first day 1-1.

“I would have been happier if he had won but I am still happy at his achievement. He could have played better but then this is just a game. He did his best and I am sure he has learnt a lot from his debut match. I expect him to do well in the reverse singles, if he gets a look in,” she said.

Bidyut Goswami of Assam, currently the head tennis coach at Columbia University, was the last person from the region to be a member of the Indian Davis Cup squad in 1974-75. He had also won the national singles title in 1979 and the doubles title in 1978.

Ranjana said, “I can’t see him play on TV. My husband flew to Delhi yesterday to be with him. He showed no nerves when he called up this morning. He is very confident and hardworking.”

All Assam Tennis Association Secretary Raktim Saikia said, “The boy has it in him to go places,” he added.

Dev Varman’s mother said few in the colony know about Somdev, as he has been away for too long. “We have been here for the past four years but tennis and studies have kept him away. We are from Tripura but he was born in Chatribari. He, however, grew up in Chennai and even picked up the game there. Now he is in his final term at the University of Virginia, majoring in Sociology,” she added.

Somdev’s birthday is on February 13 but he is unlikely to visit home, as he is returning to his college, his mother added. His father is an income tax commissioner based in Guwahati, while his elder brother is a textile designer and sister a photo editor.