Yuki Bhambri, highest ranked Indian singles player at 93, has one primary goal for the upcoming season — to play all four Grand Slams. On sidelines of an Adidas event, Bhambri, 23, tells Karthik Raman how he intends to reach his target and how content he is by breaking into the Top-100.
How satisfied are you by breaking into Top-100 rankingsIJ
It is what we all try and achieve, to aim and play in top tournaments. And, finally it has happened. I am excited about it. Hence, I am able to play in main draws of major events starting with Chennai Open.
Any target rankings at the close of 2016IJ
My Goal is to play in all Grand Slams and the initial goal is to stay in top-100, from there on we will see how far I can go and what I can achieve.
You became only the third Indian to reach a quarterfinals of the Chennai Open in 2014, which incidentally is your best performance in the tournament. Do you have any target of matching or bettering it this time aroundIJ
Not really, but I would love to reach quarterfinals or even go beyond. Chennai has been improving as a tournament, it’s great for Indian tennis and fans. It’s the only tournament where we get to play in front of our fans, so I will try to come well prepared and give my best.
How do you see your future in doublesIJ
Everybody starts with singles and I enjoyed playing doubles whenever I got the chance. I love to play doubles in Grand Slams or any of the top tournaments. But, for me the goal is to play singles for the time being.
Where are you headed nextIJ
Chennai Open is the first one of the season. Probably I will play in Bangkok Challenger a week before Australia.
Speaking of Grand Slams, Australian Open is coming up and you have to play five sets in Slams compared to the normal tournaments. How prepared are you for this new challengeIJ
It’s [preparation] going good. I am working on my fitness to play five sets. It is crucial to be able to last for that long, it’s not an everyday thing. I try and do different things to improve my overall fitness.
Are you satisfied with your 2015 seasonIJ
Absolutely, it’s been one of the best years I have had in tour. I have won tournaments abroad and in India, had a good Davis Cup in New Zealand. It’s been a very consistent year, injury-free year. I had some good wins against top players. Now I need to build on it and not just perform at Challenger level but also on ATP level.
Do you have any targets set for 2016IJ
No. It’s going to be the same. I will try to give myself opportunities to play the bigger events. I feel I can do better than what my rankings show right now and I will take it one tournament at a time and see how it goes.
In the crucial World Group play off tie against Czech Republic, India lost 1-3 where you lost both your matches. How disappointed was thatIJ
You are going to win some and lose some. We were more disappointed when we lost the doubles tie. It’s part and parcel of the game. So the important thing is to give ourselves the opportunity to go and make the World Group. And we are doing that consistently for the past three or four years. Eventually we will get there and stay there.