India’s youngest Davis Cupper tells espnstar.com how he spent a memorable weekend at the Zurich Open.

By Bhagya L Ayyavoo
 
What makes champions and what it takes to remain one for life? India’s rising star Yuki Bhambri learnt a few lessons while being in the dream-come-true company of eight former champions at the recently concluded Zurich Open. 

The first-ever ATP Champions Tour event that ran from March 9-13 featured many big names - Stefan Edberg, John McEnroe, Sergi Bruguera, Richard Krajicek, Henri Leconte, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Goran Ivanisevic and Michael Chang. In the unique “Where Champions Meet Talents” format, Yuki was the little Indian among legends.

As a rising player, you have to grab all the opportunities and make them count. When the 2009 Australian Open junior champion was offered a date with the past champions, Yuki, ranked No. 328 in the world, grabbed it with both hands. 

Invited by the Zurich organizers for being on top of the junior circuit last year, Yuki had a choice to rub his shoulders with the former greats or spend his time on the bench during India’s World Group clash against Russia. He wisely chose the former.

Recounting the memorable weekend in the first edition of the local stage of the ATP Champions Tour at the Sallsporthalle in Zurich, the Delhi boy said, “What amazes me is in spite of their age they still move well on the court and serve great. Goran (Ivanisevic) was serving at 210 and 222 km which was awesome to watch and they all volleyed amazingly well.”

Yuki added, “Playing with them makes one realize how hard they must have worked when they were young to still be able to play so well now. They are all hard working and play with juniors in their respective countries, which is so encouraging for us.”
 
Partnering Chang, Yuki beat Edberg and Daniel Berta in a quick doubles match. “Michael (Chang) said it was probably his first doubles trophy on the Champions Tour,” said Yuki smiling. 

Yuki won five out of his six matches at the event that had other young talents like Facundo Arguello, Claude Benz, Daniel, Dimitri Bretting, Andrea Collarini, Marton Fucsovics and Kevin Krawietz. 

The 17-year-old Yuki said the event also helped him size up his future opponents, “It not only gave me the opportunity to see the Champions from up close, but also to see the top juniors who I will be meeting at some of the men's tournaments.”

Yuki added, “I hadn’t met these players as I didn’t play many of the junior tournaments in 2009. They are a tough lot and I got a chance to hit with most of them in Zurich. They all hit the ball hard and are big servers.”

However, one compliment continues to ring in his ears. “Both Chang and Edberg said, I played amazingly well and probably was the best mover on the court amongst the juniors and also that I knew how to play doubles,” said a proud Yuki.

Yuki will be seen in action at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami next week where he plays the qualifiers of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament. Then he flies back home to bag some valuable points at the ITF Futures.