Yuki Bhambri to train at Bolletieri

NEW DELHI, July 27: Winning the Smash International Junior Championships, a Grade 2 ITF juniors event, in Cairo may have done Yuki Bhambri's ranking a lot of good, but as far as charting out his career is concerned, it hasn't translated into much.
The second Indian boy — after Rupesh Roy — in the top 100 is a commendable accomplishment for Yuki who has recently turned 15, but sponsors aren't exactly knocking at his door.
Though Apollo Tyres were sponsoring the Delhi youngster as recently as three months ago, the trip to Morocco and Egypt, where Yuki won and event and reached the semi-final in another, was borne by him.
Talks with the company haven't reached an impasse but the truth is that Yuki is without a sponsor and struggling to finance playing tournaments around the world. The silver lining amongst all this is the deal that he's inked with IMG which gives him unlimited access to training at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis (NBTA) Academy in Florida till the time he's 18.
"The deal with Apollo was for a year. They were paying for his training at Delhi and for tournaments abroad but they were looking at a deal which would give them total control over Yuki and talks with IMG were already on. I was very keen on Yuki going to NBTA. I'm hoping Apollo will still want to help Yuki. For the US Open trip, I've approached AITA," Mrs Bhambri told TOI on Thursday.
When contacted, AITA confirmed they had been approached by Mrs Bhambri and they were very keen to help the junior out. "He's a very talented boy. We had spoken to them earlier when Apollo Tyres was sponsoring Yuki and our offer to help still stands. As far as the US Open is concerned, we've promised to fund the trip. If no sponsor comes forward, the AITA will step up with all possible financial help," said Col Chauhan, director development and marketing.
Joining the likes of Karan Rastogi, who trains at NBTA, Yuki will have the opportunity to train with some of the biggest names in tennis, but what remains to be seen is whether he would get priority at the centre. "Their offer was too good to resist. When he first went to NBTA in December last year, it boosted his confidence and helped his game. And at this point training is as important as playing tournaments. I've been assured that he will be in the elite programme," she added.
The immediate need for Yuki is to build muscle, and training in Florida may help him achieve that. "He needs that kind of training right now. Mine is not a small goal. I want Yuki to prepare for the men's tour and that training begins now," she said.
Earlier, Mahesh Bhupathi had offered to put Yuki at Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academy in Bangalore where his training and playing schedules would all be taken care of by MBTA but the Bhambris declined. "I should have a say in how my son's career is planned and that wouldn't be possible if I put him in Bangalore. I think Mahesh is doing a fantastic job but I know what I want for Yuki," Mrs Bhambri clarified.