With better serve and new-found confidence, Yuki Bhambri hopes to soar

“As a professional athlete, it’s my job to look after my body and be responsible. The fun and games are usually at home,” he says as his season winds down. Steadily, his cautious approach towards the game has paid off. Bhambri has won two Association of Tennis Players (ATP) Challenger events in the past two months, subsequently taking his ranking to a career high 89, jumping from 414 in February.

Though some small niggles led to his pulling out from his last meet at Hua Hin in Thailand, it is a considerably stronger pair of legs and hands that have helped the Delhi boy return to the Top 100. Tennis pundit Vijay Amritraj claims the six-footer has brought in a more physical approach to his tennis. Bhambri also gives credit to a change in serve.

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“Tennis is physical. Each stroke requires coordination, muscle, accuracy and a very strong base. We run quite a few miles during each match and the power in each stroke, in each winning shot is humongous. I have worked on my serve and that has helped get some easy points. Also I have become more consistent,” he explains. It’s what Amritraj describes as “strong legs and good shoulders.” And a more assured head on those shoulders.

The confidence generated on-court — which involved the titles in Shanghai and Pune, and three runner-up finishes in the 16 Challenger events he’s played this year – has reflected in a change in his guarded approach when away from the game.

“Skydiving has been on my radar for the past couple of months and I hope to do that now that I have a break,” he claims, a rare departure from the serious, stressed out life that he has led.

The break itself has come in earlier than usual this year opening up a long window for off-season fitness work. An early end to the season was prompted by his ranking breaking the top 100, which has also granted him entry into the main draw of the Australian Open next year.

“I plan to go and work harder at the IMG, Bollettieri Academy (in the United States) so that I have more time to work on my game. Hopefully I can find someone to help me with this and I can then start 2016 by winning a few matches at the ATP and Grand Slam levels,” he explains about his search for a travelling coach, visibly excited about increased possibilities of getting into Tour events draws.

The former junior Australian Open champion is now looking to increase his travelling entourage with the addition of a coach. “To climb in the ATP rankings I need a full fledged team of dedicated professionals. First of all, a travelling coach and a trainer, and then maybe later a hitting partner, physio etc – all the people that the top guys are already travelling with for so many years,” he claims.

Of late he’s been venturing to tournaments with just a trainer, Nasir Ahmad – a decision influenced by a severe financial crunch.

Despite the sport being arguably the most glamorous individual sport in the world, and the fact that it is a prominent Olympic event, tennis players in India are not known to receive ready financial backing. Non-profit organisations such as Jindal Steel Works and Olympic Gold Quest have dedicated themselves to promote athletes across various disciplines with the intention of helping players achieve international success. For the most part, these groups select athletes who are most likely to win an Olympic medal. Consequently, singles tennis players — none’s cracked Top 50 really — get left out.

“I have tried but they always declined saying they do not help tennis players. I have no clue in India who does support or is willing to support tennis players besides the Tennis Association or the oil companies. ONGC has helped but I need much more to get to the next level,” Bhambri laments.

Nonetheless, he still finds motivation in the fact that he has improved his ranking and level of performances in the past year. The direct entry to the main draw of the Australian Open grants first round losers a minimum of at least Rs 16 lakhs. The aim for the four Grand Slams, however, will be to excel. For that Amritraj advises the youngster move up from Challenger events to ATP Tour competitions.

The self confessed ‘introvert,’ asserts he is becoming more ‘outgoing,’ and a spot of skydiving is in order. It’s the nosedive in rankings owing to injury that Bhambri will need to be wary of.