Learning tennis from his sisters, Yuki set to become new hope for Indian tennis
AFTER THE ATP rankings get updated on Monday, Yuki Bhambri, India’s hope in men’s singles tennis will crack into the elite top-100.
Currently ranked (105), the talented 23 year old from our capital, will become the first Indian player after Somdev Devvarman and Leander Paes since 2010 to enter the top-100.
In the on-going $125000 ATP Tashkent Challenger, bad weather forced Bhambri to play two matches in a day. And, India’s No. 1, displayed both skills and endurance to beat Croatia's Nikola Mektic 6-3 1-6 6-1 and Czech Republic's Jan Satral 6-3 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
Bhambri, first held a tennis racquet at the age of 5, after watching his sisters, Ankita and Sanaa (former tennis professionals in the women’s circuit). Since the age of 15, Yuki was seen competing in the junior’s circuit and also went through the grind of ITF Future and ATP Challenger tournaments. Later on, Bhambiri created history in 2009, becoming the first Indian to win the junior Australian Open title and fourth Indian in history to capture a junior singles Grand Slam title.
Bhambri’s consistent performances in the junior’s also enabled him graduate to the men’s circuit. On winning The Orange Bowl tournament, Yuki obtained a wild card and made his debut on the ATP World Tour, at the Miami Masters 1000 (competing in the main draw with the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer & Andy Murray). Soon, Bhambri earned his first Davis Cup call in 2009 against South Africa.
In 2014, Bhambri entered the Australian Open singles qualifiers but lost in the first round. However, exuding tenacity and perseverance, Bhambri found himself in the main draw of the Australian Open in 2015, before losing in straight sets in the first round to the Scot, Murray.
Like all professionals, Bhambri, too has a liking for a particular surface and finds himself very comfortable on the hard courts. Very fittingly, he also possesses a lethal forehand. Bhambri, trains at the MG Bollettieri Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
At the moment, Bhambri is all focused on winning the ATP Tashkent Challenger and a triumph will see the Delhi lad move closer to the top 90 in the ATP World Tour Rankings.
Bhambri, has given Indian tennis fans much to cheer in the upcoming ATP tournaments and every Indian would be hoping that Bhambri firmly cements his position in the elite group of men’s professional tennis.
Know Yuki Bhambri better
Favourite tennis tournament: Wimbledon
Idols growing up: Sachin Tendulkar, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi
Current favourite player: Rafael Nadal
Hobbies: Watching Cricket, Football and Movies
