Yuki Bhambri is inching towards the Top 50 in the ATP Doubles rankings. Fresh off his maiden ATP title in Mallorca, right before Wimbledon, Bhambri (with partner Saketh Myneni) looking to lift another title in Newport, a grass court event with a rich history of Indians doing well. Bhambri & Myneni are in the semi-finals already, and will take on top seeds Lammons/Withrow later this evening.
We caught up with Bhambri to get his views on playing in Newport, season so far, goals for the rest of the season, and much more –
Q) Congratulations on the first round win. You lost the first set and came back strong in the second set. In the tie breaker too Paul and Spizzirri were able to gain some ground and then you took control to win it. Your thoughts on the match?
Thank you, and yes it was a tricky first match. We did not serve the best in first set and started to get better as the match progressed. Super tie breaks are never easy and we returned very well to get the lead early. We are glad we pulled that match and looking forward to better matches ahead.
Q) This probably is a first appearance for you two at Newport. Newport has seen a lot of Indian players in the past and Ramkumar Ramanathan had a good run in 2018 and has been playing here regularly. How did you go about deciding to compete here? Have you spoken to any of the Indian players to get some tips?
YB – We have heard a lot about Newport and the history of so many Indian players doing well in the past. Yes, this is our first appearance and liking every bit of it. We wanted to play another tournament on Grass before we start hard court season and the schedule worked out.
Q) Together you have won nine titles in the last two years and have had main round appearances in 3 grand slams this year . How would you describe this partnership?
YB – Like any other team, I think me and Saki have had our fair share of wins and losses. We had some good wins and we’ve had some bad losses too, but we have been trying to improve together as a team. We obviously came from scratch and we did well to break through the ATP Tour and to be able to play the Slams this year and to compete at the ATP level and make a few semi-finals as well. So yeah, we’re hungry to keep competing and hopefully to keep getting further up in the rankings.
Q) Yuki, you recently won on grass at the Mallorca Championship with Lloyd Harris. Hoping that you can replicate the success along with Saketh here at Newport. How do you both see your chances at Infosys Hall of fame?
YB – Of course, every tournament that you play, you want to try and win that event and it’s going to be no different here in Newport.
It was great winning in Mallorca and winning my first ATP title and I would love nothing more than to replicate that success over here in Newport with Saketh. Had a lot of Indians do well here in the past. And I think that’s how we sort of also obviously decided to come along and play this tournament the first time and we are enjoying it and hopefully we can make a good run this year.
Q) If you can talk a little bit on preparations for the Asian games later this year?
YB – As Tennis has a lot of events week in week out, so the main focus always is on the next event and that’s how it is. You know, we still have U.S. Open to play we’ve got Davis Cup to play. So we got a lot of ATP events to play and then the Asian Games. So yeah, obviously it is in the back of your mind. But you take it day by day and week by week.
