The Indian contingent at Wimbledon 2013

When the Indian cricketers are done with their stellar showing in the UK, their compatriots and tennis players will ready themselves to hold aloft the Indian flag at the Mecca of tennis – Wimbledon. This time, all and not most of the players feature in the doubles draw, for it has remained our stronghold over the years.

After a long time, the Men’s Doubles draw of a Grand Slam features five Indians. They are led by fourth seeds and former Australian Open victors Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek who are due to meet Daniele Bracciali (ITA) and Jonathan Erlich (ISR) in the first round. This duo has rejoined for the grass season and let’s hope they make it all the way to London for the YEC.

Following them on the seedings ladder is the eighth seeded Indo-Austrian duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Julian Knowle who face Leonardo Mayer (ARG) and Albert Ramos (ESP) in their opening match. They had last partnered each other at the Portschach ATP event in Austria seven years ago. Seeded fourteenth is the Indo-French pair of Rohan Bopanna and Edouard Roger-Vasselin who are slated to meet Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) and Dmitry Tursunov (RUS).

Filling the last two spots are the young, considering that they are doubles players, and upcoming Indians, Purav Raja and Divij Sharan. They reached the finals of a challenger event two weeks ago, their fourth this year, and earned their berth through the qualifying event held earlier this week. They are going to participate in their first Grand Slam. It is indeed a privilege to make their Slam debut at the most esteemed of tournaments. They will be facing Challenger Tour regulars and middle order pair of Nicholas Monroe (USA) and Simon Stadler (GER). If they cross this hurdle, the could meet eighth seeds Bhupathi-Knowle in the second round.

Featuring in the Women’s Doubles draw is Indian regular Sania Mirza. She is seeded sixth with American Liezel Huber. The pair had in the past won tour level titles, mostly in India, during the nascent stages of Sania’s doubles career.

Of the above mentioned pairs, Mirza-Huber and Paes-Stepanek have participated in the warm up event at Eastbourne. Both pairs lost in the quarterfinal stage of their respective events. India’s lone top 150 singles player, Somdev Devvarman, lost in the first qualifying round.

Though the reason for the split of Bhupathi-Bopanna is unknown, let us hope that they, along with their respective partners, taste success now and during the remainder of the season.

Indian participation is not limited to what is mentioned above. The mixed doubles draw is yet to be made and all the four top players are sure to find place in it. Let us hope the players bring some good news from Wimbledon.