There once was a time when the NCCA singles champion was invited to play in the U.S. Open, but those days are long gone, especially for international players.

Somdev Devvarman, the University of Virginia star who has won consecutive NCAA tennis singles championships the past two years, was denied both a wildcard and a bid to the qualifying tournament. A member of India’s Davis Cup team, Devvarman turned pro in June and recently qualified for and reached the quarterfinals of the recent ATP Legg-Mason tournament in Washington, D.C.  His success there pushed his ranking all the way up to 239, but it was too late to earn an invitation to compete at the U.S. Open.

I can understand the Open being stingy with the Wildcard bids, and I’m glad they still give the 18-and-under national singles champion (this year it’s Austin Krajicek) a wildcard; however, Devvarman should at least should have been included in the qualifyings, and if that was not possible, invite him to the main draw.  Counting the qualies and the main flight, a total of 240 men get a chance to compete – Devvarman should have been one of them. 

Snubbing a two-time NCAA champion is an insult to college tennis.  The USTA should bring back the automatic wildcard bid for college champions.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.