Former India Davis Cup captain Vijay Amritraj has lamented the dearth of serious world-beating talent in the country and fears a void once Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi leave the scene.
"There has not been a single Indian player in the top 100 of the ATP rankings after Paes, which is not a happy situation," the former ace, who flew the tricolour for almost 20 years on the international stage, said.
Paes was in the top-100 in 1998 and '99, when he was ranked 73. Ramesh Krishnan had a career-high ranking of 23 in January 1985 while Amritraj himself was as high as number 16 in the world in July 1980.
These players wrote many a glorious chapter in India's Davis Cup history. The team reached the final in 1966, 1974 and 1987 and the last-four stage in 1993, but such feats are only in the realm of imagination now.
"The players have to find out from themselves why they cannot make an impression in singles," Amritraj said.
"The players these days have much better facilities, sponsorship and exposure, but on the flip side, they have to deal with much more competition now."
He was talking informally to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the second Delhi Half Marathon, to be run on October 15. Amritraj is the brand ambassador for the event.
Asked about the burden of expectation on the present lot of Indians, he said they should not think of past generations.
"We played 30 years ago and since then the sport has totally changed. It has become more athletic and professional and the Indians will have to deal with that.
"They are developing with the rest of the world but not at the same pace," Amritraj said.
His son, Prakash, and Stephen, son of his brother and doubles partner Anand, are into professional tennis and he said he kept an eye on their game.
"They have entered a very competitive field and I try to help and advise them wherever I can," he said.
Referring to the success Paes and Bhupathi have had in doubles, he said it was just a measure of understanding and comfort with a partner.
"Doubles is all about understanding. It is not that Indians have some special affinity to doubles as such," he added.
