Somdev berates AITA, says he has lot to offer to Indian tennis

Launching a scathing attack on the All India Tennis Association (AITA), the just-retired Somdev Devvarman on Monday said the federation was not interested in creating a good system to help players and advised talented kids to go abroad for training.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of Chennai Open, Somdev made his remarks when asked if he feels let down by AITA.

“I never expected from them, so there was no question of being let down. They were not interested in helping, in creating a culture and system and I realised that pretty quick. I was called for Davis Cup in 2007 and was stranded at the airport and then I realised they were a bunch of...,” Somdev, who had also led a players revolt, said.

“My coach advised me to keep those people aside and don’t blame anyone else. I did not want to rely on the unreliable.”

He made these comments moments after saying that he won’t criticise AITA more since he won’t get any assignment from them if he keeps doing that.

But he asserted that the kind of game he played and the experience he has, he can make a difference to Indian tennis.

“If I keep criticising AITA, I won’t get a call from them. I am still weighing my options. I have done a lot of good things, the work ethics, I have a lot to offer,” Somdev said.

“There was criticism about my game style but not one can criticise the way I fought on the courts.”

He also had a suggestion for young players, who aspire to make it big and eulogised the college tennis in US, where he won two NCAA titles and earned a degree as well.

“The work culture is very nice. You stay away from distractions especially when you care an Indian kid and you are good, it’s good to not be here,” he said.

Somdev also said he was largely happy with how his career shaped up.