"We were just not good enough," was how Somdev Devvarman reacted when asked why none of the Indian players in the main draw of the Australian Open managed to go past the first round.
"We have to call a spade a spade. Sumit (Nagal) did not have a tough draw, Neither did Ankita (Raina) or Rohan (Bopanna) in their doubles draws. The reasons could be anything, but we just didn't step up to the plate when it mattered," Somdev, who was ranked 62 in the world at his peak, told The Telegraph on Friday.
Nagal lost to Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis 6-2, 7-5, 6-3. Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan lost their respective men's doubles first-round clashes while Ankita got knocked out of the women's doubles at the same stage.
Asked how he wanted to do his bit for the game, Somdev said: "I have been passionate about tennis in India ever since I can remember. I am trying to do things for the game in my own way. I am in constant touch with Sumit and Karman (Thandi) and I guide them in whatever way I can."
There had been talks about Somdev being a part of Nagal's coaching team. "I am in frequent conversation with Sumit, but our travel schedules have been crazy. He also has a very good full-time coach. I am happy to kind of be there and guide him as required. I can't travel with him full time and maybe that's what he needs."
Somdev also felt that the Covid-19 induced quarantine had affected various players in different ways. Asked how he thought players were coping with the pandemic and its protocols he said: "Depends on the individual - where they are in their career now. If you are older you may need a lot more work with your body and may need to practise more. Some need to travel with a physio, some don't. Also if you are carrying an injury the requirements will change.
"So the quarantine situation has affected each player in a different way. See, Jennifer Brady was in hard quarantine and she is now in the final of the Australian Open. Everyone has a different way of dealing with the situation."
The Australian Open is live on Sony Ten 2 and 3 and Sony Six.
