Former top-ranked Indian tennis player Somdev Devvarman has supported the use of protected rankings in professional tennis, emphasizing its merit-based nature. He expressed concern over the absence of Indian singles players in the top 200 globally. Despite Karman Kaur Thandi’s recent qualification for the French Open women’s singles draw, her return ended with a challenging loss to Harmony Tan in the opening round of qualifiers.
Devvarman clarified that protected rankings are earned through prior performance and not merely handed out. He highlighted that these rankings allow players like Karman, recovering from injuries, to use their past rankings for a limited period upon their return. While acknowledging Karman’s disappointing defeat, he praised her resilience and current fitness level, noting her past struggles with injuries hindering her potential.
Reflecting on the state of Indian singles tennis, Devvarman raised questions about the pipeline behind top-ranked player Sumit Nagal. He expressed hope for emerging talents like Manas Dhamne and Dakshineshwar Suresh, anticipating their progress on the tour in the coming years. Devvarman also questioned the challenges faced by Indian women players like Sreevali Bhamidipaty in breaking into the top ranks, emphasizing the competitive nature of the sport and the need for continuous improvement.
