ITF rule change robbed my Olympic dream from me: says Divij Sharan
Divij Sharan complained that the International Tennis Federation changed its rules for Olympic qualification, which caused him to miss participation in the men’s doubles with Rohan Bopanna at the Tokyo Games.
“The circumstances under which Rohan and I missed the Olympics cut were very disheartening. Based purely on combined rankings, we would have been the 29th out of the 32 teams to make the men’s doubles,” Sharan, currently in Mexico to compete in an ATP Tour event, told TOI.”
Due to Covid related circumstances, ITF changed the rules this year to cut off teams at the 24th spot, and thereafter pick singles players for the remaining spots.”As it is players could already enter doubles using their singles or doubles ranking. So I believe it’s unfair to then give priority to lower ranked singles players.
“This rule has taken away the opportunity for some committed doubles players to represent their country at the Olympics in their own event.”
It has been a dream for me to be able to play and try to win a medal for India at the Olympics and if they hadn’t changed the rules, we would have been in Tokyo right now.
“Sharan, 35, had mixed feelings about the manner in which the ITF handled the situation. He was also upset by the lack of communication from All India Tennis Federation (AITA) over the supposed change in nomination.”
At the beginning there was little clarity from ITF about the acceptance list. However, when I contacted ITF directly, they did respond to my questions,” the World No. 82 said.
“The bigger disappointment was with AITA. I’d been in constant touch with them from the UK and Germany, making sure that everything was organized with regard to the kit, accreditation, testing etc, well in time, in case we made the cut by 16th July.”
So, I was really surprised when I read in the news that my name had been withdrawn by AITA at the 11th hour, without any communication with me.
“It was so disheartening, to say the least.”One expects better treatment from one’s own federation, especially with players who have been representing India for so many years.”
There has also been no communication from them since then.
“Not everything related to officialdom has been gloomy for Sharan, as well as for Bopanna and a few other tennis players.Sharan has received Rs. 98 lakh in total since being included in the TOPS programme. Bopanna has received nearly Rs. 1.5 crore since September 2016.”
I’d like to acknowledge the support I’ve received from TOPS since I was inducted into the program after the Asian Games gold medal win in 2018. I’ve never received such support in all my playing years. It has meant a lot to me,” he said.
Sharan had slipped in his rankings, from a career high 36 in 2018 and the 2019 year-end 46, but said he felt confident about his game and returning to the top-50.
“Yes, my ranking has slipped during this COVID year, and the lack of a regular partner has also contributed to it. But my game has been steady, and I am certainly keen to work my way up over the coming months.”
