Can Yuki Bhambri beat the recurring cramps to secure first singles win on ATP Tour? ESPNSTAR.COM caught up with him in an interview.

By Bhagya Ayyavoo

266 days after his maiden win on the ATP Tour (in doubles), India’s rising star Yuki Bhambri has been offered a lucky draw to clinch his first singles win at the Kuala Lumpur ATP 250 tournament. Will the long wait end?

Bhagya Ayyavoo: You have been drawn against local wild card - 31-year-old Yew-Ming Si ranked No. 1492. How do fancy your chances?
Yuki Bhambri: It’s a very big tournament with some top players playing in it. Having said that, yes I know I have a good chance to win this one. I will go all out to try and win my first ATP match.

BA: Have you played Yew-Ming Si earlier or seen him play?

YB: No, I haven’t, not really. This is the first time I have come across him and I haven’t seen much of him at all. The surface here is a lot slower than the tournaments I have come from. It’s indoors, so heat shouldn’t really be much of an issue. It’s my second ATP main draw and I am going to try and have some fun.

BA: Cramps have denied you some key wins - we have seen that happen quite a few times this year - in the Youth Olympics final, and very recently at the Bangkok Challenger tournament last week. Why are cramps stopping Yuki?

YB: There’s no doubt it’s regarding fitness. The cramps have come in the hottest and humid places. And in Singapore (Youth Olympics), it was about getting back to full match fitness. It’s very tough to get back to what you were after losing out on two months due to injury. I think the levels are increasing. On the men’s tour I have been playing at a different level, the intensity is higher. You’re giving a lot more that what you are used to giving; the body is trying to push harder. That’s resulting in fatigue and ends up in cramps. I am fortunate that it’s happening at my young age, so that I can learn from this. I know now that it is fitness that is stopping me. If I can last for three or four hours, I will be a much better player.

BA: At least 4 retirements in Futures and Challenger events in the last 6 months. Are you worried about that?

YB: No, I could cramp today and could cramp tomorrow again. It can definitely be worked out. It’s totally a different level I am playing at. I don’t feel as if I am lacking anything in my game. I have had opportunities to close out matches and get really close to winning against Top 300 and Top 200 guys. It’s only a matter of time before I really step it up and start winning these matches. Best part about this is it’s all in my hands.

BA: After a great season last year, it’s been a bumpy ride so far. After reaching a career-best 321 in April this year, you have slipped to 527 as of September 26.

YB: This whole year has been a big learning experience for me. I might have gone down in rankings since my comeback from injury. I was in Thailand for two weeks ago where I lost to (Dmitry) Tursunov in straight sets (in the first Challenger event). In the second one, I beat a top-300 player (No. 296 Ze Zhang) and then lost the final of qualifying (to No. 269 Frederik Nielsen). But got a lucky loser spot and had match points against another player (No. 241 James Ward) in the 200s. I think I have gradually been improving. If I win here, that will be the icing on the cake.

BA: You will be joining hands with Asia No.1 Kei Nishikori in doubles. That must be fun too. Tell us about your relationship with the Japanese ace?

YB: I have grown up with him at the Nick Bollettieri academy. I have hit a lot with him. We have been training alongside each other for the last 2 to 3 years. It’s an honour to play with somebody like him. We are up against some good guys (Bruno Soares and Marcelo Melo). It’s going to be tough. We are hoping for the best.

BA: You must have played lot of practice sets with him, which way do the results usually go?

YB: Yes, I have. They were mostly in his favour.

BA: We hope you overtake him soon.

YB: (Laughs) Hopefully!

BA: We also heard that you get to hit a lot with Czech Republic star Radek Stepanek. Tell us about that experience?

YB: Yes I have. I have played sets with him as well. Last I hit with him was just before he went for Davis Cup after US Open where they played Serbia tie. I have practiced with him quite a bit. The pros are always coming in at the (Bollettieri) Academy and we get to hit with quite a few of them.

BA: You missed the gold at the Youth Olympic Games, how would you like to compensate that?

YB: That medal will always be special. It would have been great to get gold, but silver isn’t bad either. It will always be a dream to represent India in the Olympics, just participating in it would be a dream come true. Yes, this does give me further motivation.

BA: You must have heard about the Commonwealth Games mess. You’re a Delhi boy. Any views?

YB: I have faith in the city and the government too. We will do a good job of holding the Commonwealth Games.