Yuki Bhambri: Looking for a Grand Slam Ticket

It was a hot day in Namagan. Bhambri had just gone down in the first set to World Number 42 – Uzbeki Denis Istomin. What happened over the next hour was not just clay-court magic it was also enough to deliver a swift kick in the nuts to those ruing about the future of Indian tennis. The 19-year-old came back 7-6, 7-6 in the Asia Oceania Round 2 tie in a cracker of a match.

“There was no real pressure on me,” Yuki says of the match against Istomin. “The team had analysed the match I’d played two days before and asked me to change a few things. They said I’d been too defensive so on that day I took more chances, put pressure on Istomin’s serves. He’s a top 50 guy and beating him ranks right up for me,” he tells FHM in a chat after a grueling morning session with long-time coach Aditya Sachdeva.

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Sachdeva, has coached not just Yuki but also his sisters Ankita and Sanaa, has seen the young man grow and transform from a three-foot kid to a strapping six-foot man. A constant fixture in his ward’s life, Yuki looks to Sachdeva, for advice on everything from tennis to life, even if is barked out as instructions. “We have a father-son bond and I would dedicate whatever I’ve achieved to him,” he says.

Off the courts for nearly six months after being diagnosed with jumper’s knee, a condition that afflicts footballers, Yuki has, since, made a tremendous comeback. In October 2011, he was ranked 492 he has since then climbed the ranks to number 292 in April 2012.

“It’s been a great start to the year,” he says. “The last six months have been phenomenal. I’ve gone from strength to strength. I’ve been playing regularly and more importantly gone deep into tournaments and didn’t take too long to feel good on the court,” he adds.

The time off gave the Australian Open junior champ the time and space to introspect and work on areas that needed attention but change only came slowly. “In a way the break worked out well for me. I re-evaluated my game, spent more time in the gym. Today’s game demands you to last for five sets as well as have a killer forehand. Earlier I didn’t work out during a tournament, now I make sure that I hit the gym every single day.” Especially when he’s hogged on butter chicken and naan, his most favourite meal. “I miss that the most when I’m traveling,” he adds. His association with the Nick Bolletieri Tennis Academy at Bradenton in Florida has reaped dividends for Yuki. He always had the game but the chance of hitting and playing against experienced and stronger players has prepared him for the assault that awaits him on the ATP Tour.

“The biggest benefit is getting to play with better players. Hitting the heavy hard ball and making it a habit is what will help me playing on the circuit. It draws me of my comfort zone.”

It has also given him the confidence to measure his game against some of the world’s most highly rated players. “I have developed a great deal of variety in my game. There’s no certain flank that can be touted as a weakness. I take more chances on my backhand and use it to attack more now. Physically I’m much stronger than what I used to be,” the Rafael Nadal fan boasts.

Aiming to play the Grand Slams this year – Bhambri is working on bringing his ranking below 250 to be able to try and qualify for the three remaining Grand Slams. He knows his work is cut out for him but he isn’t daunted. “I know I’ve what it takes. Winning matches is what will take me to my goal and I know I can win.”

From the May 2012 issue of FHM India.