As the Wimbledon Championships heads to a finish, India's Yuki Bhambri is keeping his options open for playing both US Open juniors and the men’s tournament.

Bhagya L Ayyavoo

It was the same day last year when Yuki Bhambri gifted himself a perfect birthday present by winning an ITF Futures title in New Delhi. This time though, a twisted ankle has forced Yuki on the couch, leaving him swapping channels between the Wimbledon Championships and the Soccer World Cup in support of Rafael Nadal and Spain.

Yuki, who turns 18 on Sunday, missed seven weeks of action after injuring his ankle during the Futures tournament in New Delhi in early May, only a month after achieving his career-best ranking of 321.

2009 was one of the best year on the tour that saw India’s teenage hope inch closer to the Top 300 in ATP rankings after clinching three Futures titles in-a-row and five overall last year. However, with only two quarter-final finishes and a semi-final appearance, this season, he failed to defend points and has slipped to No.390.

The Delhi boy points out that “It would be hard to replicate it (2009 success)” and admits it has been up and down this season. “I had some really good wins. My highest career win came at the Chennai Open in January. But some injury problems have hampered my season. But I am sure I will be back. It’s a long journey ahead and I hope to have a good six months,” Yuki said.

Having missed two Grand Slams - the French Open and the ongoing Wimbledon Championships, the 2009 junior Australian Open champion is fired up ahead of the US Open end of August.

“I have sent my entry for the men’s draw. It depends on how the schedule goes for the men’s tournament.” Yuki added, “It’s going to be tough to get entry into the men’s event. So, I have kept my options open for juniors as well.”

The Delhi lad, who got back to practice courts on Friday, will be leaving to the United States on Tuesday for a two-week stint at the Nick Bollettieri Academy. “The ankle is feeling ok. But I’m still struggling with my fitness. I haven’t had much fitness training in the last month or so. So the physical part is going to take a bit of time to be completely match-fit,” he admitted.

Yuki hopes to be ready and match-sharp in time for the two Futures tournament in England end of July.