New Delhi:
In the limelight after steering India to the Davis Cup World Group stage after 11 years, a relaxed Somdev Devvarman on Monday said there is always more pressure on a tennis player when it comes to representing the country at the world team event.
Somdev last night became toast of the nation when he pulled off a sensational comeback win in the play-off tie against South Africa. He overcame a two-set deficit to beat Rik de Voest 3-6 6-7(3) 7-6(5) 6-2 6-4 to give India an unassailable 3-1 lead.
"I did well to fight back. I stayed focused and got motivation from the team. I knew the match was getting physical. I was creating opportunities but I was missing them.
It's a Davis Cup match, you are playing for country and you feel more pressure," Somdev said in a press-meet after returning here from South Africa on Monday.
"It was a tough match, I was really trying hard but Rik was playing well. I have practiced a lot with him and knew his game well," he said.
Somdev also said flying early to South Africa helped him a lot as it gave him enough time to acclimatising with the conditions.
"It was an important tie. The courts were fast and balls were coming quick, so going there early helped me immensely.
It was great to peak on Saturday and Sunday and a lot of credit goes to the team as well," he said. .
India's non-playing captain S P Misra revealed how Somdev pumped himself up after going down in the first two sets.
"I told Somdev 'Don't lose heart. Keep trying and then he said I have got heart, I have got a heart, I wanna win it'.
Somdev is always reliable. It was a match where lot of expectations were there from him and he gave us the tie," he said.
Misra said Rohan Bopanna made a great contribution in India's victory by winning the second singles in the opening day.
"We got a good draw and luckily Somdev played first, that helped Bopanna play to show his game. He responded well after losing the first and his victory was key to winning the tie."
The former Davis Cupper also praised Yuki Bhambri, who made his Davis Cup debut with a fantastic win over Izak Van der Merwe in the inconsequential last reverse singles match.
"He played a great game. His approach to the game was amazing. It's great that we won a tie without doubles win, it's significant and credit goes to all four singles player," Misra said.
Asked whether it was time for veterans Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi to pass on the mantle to youngsters, Indian coach Nandan Bal said such a situation was still way-off.
"May be one or two years down the road it could happen.
It's still some way off. The selection committee need to look into that in coming years.
"But it was significant that we won a tie without doubles team after a long time. Yuki did play great and Rohan was superb. To get 2-0 on day one was fabulous. Credit goes to our singles player," Bal said.
Both Misra and Bal said although Paes was not physically in South Africa, mentally he was always with the team.
"He (Paes) called every individual after the matches. He was very much there. He called up and congratulated us after day one and on Sunday," Bal said.
Sharing the experience of playing his maiden Davis Cup match, Yuki said he was nervous at the start.
"It was way different (from playing junior circuit and ITF Futures). I got the opportunity and I wanted to do well. I was nervous in the first couple of games but after that I started playing freely," said the 17-year-old from Delhi.
Meanwhile, All India Tennis Association secretary general Anil Khanna also congratulated the team on their success.
"It's a great achievement. The tie was played in excellent spirit. Only two Asian teams in the last two decades have played in the World Group, the other is Korea. The players showed tremendous resilience," he said.
Khanna informed that there is a possibility of India getting a home tie when they play World Group next year.
"The draw will be made in Switzerland on September 23. If we play Czech Republic, United States, Spain it will be a home tie. If we play Germany, Russia, Croatia, Argentina or Israel it will be an away tie. There is reasonable chance of getting a home tie," he said.
Somdev last night became toast of the nation when he pulled off a sensational comeback win in the play-off tie against South Africa. He overcame a two-set deficit to beat Rik de Voest 3-6 6-7(3) 7-6(5) 6-2 6-4 to give India an unassailable 3-1 lead.
"I did well to fight back. I stayed focused and got motivation from the team. I knew the match was getting physical. I was creating opportunities but I was missing them.
It's a Davis Cup match, you are playing for country and you feel more pressure," Somdev said in a press-meet after returning here from South Africa on Monday.
"It was a tough match, I was really trying hard but Rik was playing well. I have practiced a lot with him and knew his game well," he said.
Somdev also said flying early to South Africa helped him a lot as it gave him enough time to acclimatising with the conditions.
"It was an important tie. The courts were fast and balls were coming quick, so going there early helped me immensely.
It was great to peak on Saturday and Sunday and a lot of credit goes to the team as well," he said. .
India's non-playing captain S P Misra revealed how Somdev pumped himself up after going down in the first two sets.
"I told Somdev 'Don't lose heart. Keep trying and then he said I have got heart, I have got a heart, I wanna win it'.
Somdev is always reliable. It was a match where lot of expectations were there from him and he gave us the tie," he said.
Misra said Rohan Bopanna made a great contribution in India's victory by winning the second singles in the opening day.
"We got a good draw and luckily Somdev played first, that helped Bopanna play to show his game. He responded well after losing the first and his victory was key to winning the tie."
The former Davis Cupper also praised Yuki Bhambri, who made his Davis Cup debut with a fantastic win over Izak Van der Merwe in the inconsequential last reverse singles match.
"He played a great game. His approach to the game was amazing. It's great that we won a tie without doubles win, it's significant and credit goes to all four singles player," Misra said.
Asked whether it was time for veterans Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi to pass on the mantle to youngsters, Indian coach Nandan Bal said such a situation was still way-off.
"May be one or two years down the road it could happen.
It's still some way off. The selection committee need to look into that in coming years.
"But it was significant that we won a tie without doubles team after a long time. Yuki did play great and Rohan was superb. To get 2-0 on day one was fabulous. Credit goes to our singles player," Bal said.
Both Misra and Bal said although Paes was not physically in South Africa, mentally he was always with the team.
"He (Paes) called every individual after the matches. He was very much there. He called up and congratulated us after day one and on Sunday," Bal said.
Sharing the experience of playing his maiden Davis Cup match, Yuki said he was nervous at the start.
"It was way different (from playing junior circuit and ITF Futures). I got the opportunity and I wanted to do well. I was nervous in the first couple of games but after that I started playing freely," said the 17-year-old from Delhi.
Meanwhile, All India Tennis Association secretary general Anil Khanna also congratulated the team on their success.
"It's a great achievement. The tie was played in excellent spirit. Only two Asian teams in the last two decades have played in the World Group, the other is Korea. The players showed tremendous resilience," he said.
Khanna informed that there is a possibility of India getting a home tie when they play World Group next year.
"The draw will be made in Switzerland on September 23. If we play Czech Republic, United States, Spain it will be a home tie. If we play Germany, Russia, Croatia, Argentina or Israel it will be an away tie. There is reasonable chance of getting a home tie," he said.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
