New Delhi:
The Commonwealth Games tennis competition will be devoid of any top names, but interest could still be high locally with Indian players set to capitalise by producing a golden haul.
In the best of worlds, the sport's debut at the Games would have seen the likes of Andy Murray, Marcos Baghdatis, Lleyton Hewitt and Samantha Stosur all vying for top honours, but none of these players have put their names forward.
Instead the men's top seeding has gone to India's Somdev Devvarman, who is ranked 100th in the world, with the women's top seeding being awarded to 27-year-old Anastasia Rodionova, a Russian-born Australian, who ranks 65th.
Rodionova owes her top seeding to the late withdrawal of Scotland's Elena Baltacha, who cited health fears for pulling out, and if the seedings are justified, she will play Indian glamour girl Sania Mirza in the final.
The exploits of Mirza on the WTA circuit over the last few years, the first by an Indian woman at the top level of tennis, have turned her into a mega-star in her home country.
A chronic wrist injury has stalled her rise this year, but she has been showing signs of getting back to near her best in recent weeks and New Delhi will be a huge target for her.
"Coming back to the highest level of international competition from a serious injury was never going to be easy, but having won six of my last eight singles matches, I have gained momentum," said Mirza, now married to Pakistan cricket star Shoaib Malik.
"International tennis is all about pressure and it is something that one learns to deal with."
Others to look out for in the women's draw will be England's Katie O'Brien, who has Grand Slam experience, and the 2009 US Junior champion Heather Watson of Guernsey.
The men's tournament is also wide open, and once again there is a very real chance of Indian success through the fast-improving Devvarman who has broken into the top ATP circuit over the past year after a successful college career in the United States.
Devvarman, who has just played a key role in India's Davis Cup win over Brazil, said that the competition in New Delhi would still be exciting despite the absence of the sport's big names.
"We have to respect the decision of every professional athlete. They are trying their best to preserve their bodies and are always trying to make the best decision for their careers," he said.
"I think the Games are going to be exciting regardless. There are many good players.
"If I am playing well, I will be a very tough guy to beat, so I am going to prepare as well as I can."
Rohan Bopanna, who had a great run into the US Open men's doubles final with Pakistani partner Aisam Ul-Haq Qureshi, will be India's second single's player in the men's event.
India of course can confidently rely on success in the men's doubles with Somdev and Bopanna teaming up and Leander Paes renewing his feted partnership with Mahesh Bhupathi.
It would be a long shot, but an Indian sweep of the five gold medals up for grabs in New Delhi is not an impossibility and locally at least that would provide one of the big highlights of the Games.