Somdev Devvarman is one of the most celebrated tennis players associated with Tripura, whose determination and achievements made him a prominent name in Indian tennis.
Born in Guwahati, Assam, Somdev comes from a family with roots in Tripura and belongs to Tripura’s erstwhile royal family. He grew up largely in Chennai, where he began playing tennis at the age of nine.
🎾 From College Champion to Professional Star
Somdev’s breakthrough came during his time at the University of Virginia in the United States. He won the prestigious NCAA singles championship in 2007 and 2008, becoming one of the few players in the tournament’s history to win consecutive titles. In 2008, he went an extraordinary.
He turned professional in 2008 and quickly established himself as one of India’s leading singles players.
🇮🇳 A Star for Indian Tennis
Somdev reached his first ATP-level singles final at the 2009 Chennai Open, becoming the first Indian since Leander Paes in 1998 to reach an ATP singles final. He later reached another final at the 2011 South African Open.
His career-best ATP singles ranking was World No. 62, achieved on July 25, 2011.
He was also a key member of India’s Davis Cup team, playing 14 ties and helping India return to the Davis Cup World Group in 2009–10.
🥇 Golden Year: 2010
The year 2010 was arguably the brightest period of Somdev’s career.
He won men’s singles gold at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and then created history at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, winning both singles and doubles gold medals.
His performances earned him the Arjuna Award in 2011, recognising his contribution to Indian sport.
🏆 A Legacy Beyond Rankings
Recurring injuries, particularly a shoulder problem, eventually affected his career. After his final competitive appearance in 2016, Somdev announced his retirement from professional tennis on January 1, 2017, at the age of 31.
But retirement did not end his association with tennis. He went on to contribute to the sport through mentoring, player development and efforts to improve Indian tennis. More recently, in August 2026, Somdev and former Indian player Purav Raja launched a 10-point vision for reforming Indian tennis.
The Times of India🌟 A Proud Name for Tripura
Somdev Devvarman’s journey—from his Tripura roots and early days in Chennai to NCAA glory, international medals, Davis Cup success and a career-high world ranking of 62—is a story of talent, resilience and determination.
For Tripura, he remains more than a former professional tennis player. **He is one of the state’s most prominent sporting figures and an inspiration for young athletes dreaming of representing India on the international stage.**
