Yuki Bhambri - Junior Tennis star from India

**app_engine** · 3rd February 2009, 02:17 AM

I'm surprised there's no separate thread for this sensation.

Top seed in Australian open, singles trophy & junior world no 1!

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Way to go, Yuki!

**Google Adsense** · 3rd February 2009 02:17 AM

**app_engine** · 3rd February 2009, 02:23 AM

http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/03/stories/2009020355731800.htm

NEW DELHI: Australian Open junior champion Yuki Bhambri returned to a tumultuous welcome at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here on Monday.

Though it was chaotic, with the media demanding constant attention hours after he had reached his home in Gulmohar Park, Yuki was quite sporting to say that it was fun.

It was not that tough an exercise for him to talk about the high quality tennis that he had played through the tournament in Melbourne.

“It is the perfect gift that I could give myself, to win a Grand Slam and become World No.1,” said Yuki, even as he acknowledged that the final was one of the best matches he had ever played.

“It was terrific to play in the Rod Laver arena. That memory will stay with me. I played so well that I didn’t give my opponent any chance. I never faced a breakpoint, and I could break him any time that I wanted. I took my chances and was really happy with the sharpness of my game,” said Yuki.

Nervous

The 16-year-old conceded that he was a bit nervous in the first match that stretched to three sets, but learnt his lesson so well that he intensified his approach so strongly that he did not drop another set in the whole tournament.

“I lost a few early games and was playing catch-up in the first match. I had to dig deep to pull it off. It was very hot, and I knew that I could not afford to play any loose games,” he said.

Yuki said that he would have loved to win the doubles title as well, but his opponents proved too good in the semifinals.

“I had lost the doubles finals in both the Grade tournaments in which I had won the singles title. I was keen to win a double in Melbourne,” he said.

Focus on men’s circuit

Looking ahead, Yuki said that he would focus on the men’s circuit henceforth and possibly play only one or two more junior Grand Slams. “It could be the U.S. Open or Wimbledon. We will decide,” he said.

Coach Aditya Sachdeva who had worked with Yuki for more than six years said that it was great satisfaction for him from the coach’s point of view.

“This is what we work for. It is just great, to see your boy winning a Grand Slam and becoming World No.1. It is not just me but the whole team deserves the credit,” said Sachdeva.

Yuki will rest for a few days and resume his training. He will go to the U.S. in a week or 10 days, and will be joined by the coach later for about three weeks.

**wrap07** · 3rd February 2009, 10:29 AM

yes.

**leosimha** · 3rd February 2009, 11:52 AM

Congrats to Yuki. Also be surprised to see that we don't have a separate thread for Vamos Rafa!!!

**app_engine** · 7th February 2009, 02:32 AM

Interesting comment by the youngster :

I have achieved a small dream. The bigger picture is still left

Ramesh Krishnan praises him too :
http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/07/stor...0756951800.htm

**app_engine** · 19th February 2009, 01:55 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuki_Bhambri

Nice article. It shows only Ramanathan Krishnan, Ramesh Krishnan & Leander Paes as prior junior winners. I was thinking that Vijay Amirtaraj won the junior wimbledon...I'm wrong. Probably his best was reaching the Wim quarters as a professional...