Chennai: Former world number one junior player Yuki Bhambri made an impassioned plea for financial support to young Indian tennis players who are in the critical transitional stage of moving into senior ranks.
Speaking to the media after his 6-2, 6-3 rout of Slovakia's Karol Beck in the first round of the Chennai Open on Monday, the 19-year-old Bhambri felt that players needed full-fledged trainers and coaches like the senior pros to perform well on the tour.
"Vishu (Vishnu Vardhan) nor me had the kind the support we need at this stage. I feel that the financial support is totally lacking for young tennis players in India. You see the top guys moving with support staff, which is a luxury we need."
"You see the top guys travelling with not just the coaches but the trainer as well. It is a luxury that one needs to in today's game, as you are playing two-three hours a day and surviving on the tour playing about 50 or 60 matches in a year. So, you need somebody out there to help you out."
"It is one of the biggest drawbacks that we have in this country. It is all about cricket that gets the support and I hope that people will notice tennis players too, and that Vishnu and me have been doing well for ourselves without much help," he said.
Bhambri's plea for support has come on the heels of a similar statement by Leander Paes on Sunday, where the iconic player rued that young Indian players were not receiving enough support.
The rising Indian star was elated on making the second round of the event, where he will meet top-seeded Janko Tipservic of Serbia.
"I think there were some long points in between. I played couple of them together, but it always happens that you miss out on few points and then you get back. I have been feeling great and I think I could have won even it had gone to third set. I would have backed myself to go out there and win the match," he said.
The 19-year-old said he came into the match relaxed and not under any pressure.
"There was no pressure at all in the match. I had an early break in the first set and I sort of kept pushing and I am happy to have won the match."
As for trying out more sliced shots, he said, "It is something that I have been trying to work on in bringing variations to my strokes. I think I put it to good use today, though it is not one of my strongest shots," he said.
Asked about his next round clash against top seed Tipservic, the Delhi boy said, "He is a great player. I have not thought much about it. I have met him last year and seen him play in tournaments and Davis Cup matches. I want the best out there in my match against him."
Comments
0 comment