Indian tennis has a lot to cheer about with 16-year-old Yuki Bhambri’s win at the Australian Open. Yuki’s win proves that with determination, hard work and a focused goal, every dream is within one’s reach, points out JOSHY JOSEPH.

At the age of six he held a tennis racket in his hand. A decade later he proudly stood at the Rod Laver Arena holding the Australian Open Junior Boys trophy. When little Yuki Bhambri picked up the racket for the first time at Delhi’s Siri Fort Sports Complex, little did he know that he would one day be the first Indian to win the Australian Open Junior title and the fourth to win a boys’ Grand Slam title.

Delhi boy Yuki Bhambri on January 31, 2009, clinched the Australian Open Junior title with an emphatic straight-set win over German Alexandros Ferdinandos Gerogoudas. Top seed Yuki swept aside the unseeded Gerogousdas 6-3, 6-1 in 57 minutes to pocket his first Grand Slam singles title, bringing cheer and hope to Indian tennis. Yuki follows in the footsteps of Indian tennis greats Ramanathan, Ramesh Krishnan and Leander Paes to win a Junior Grand Slam.

Yuki has been performing exceptionally well on the international circuit. His best show so far has been the title win at the Orange Bowl in Key Biscayne (USA), considered to be the fifth Grand Slam and the Osaka Mayor’s Cup in October 2008.

He is elated to have won the Australian Open Junior Grand Slam, an event that began in 1922. But he is realistic about not over-estimating his ability and achievement. He knows well that he has a long way to go and has an unfinished task on his hands in the remaining three junior Grand Slam events of the season. For him though it’s a dream come true. “It’s a dream come true for me. Finally all my hard work has paid off,” said Yuki after his win at Melbourne.

Even at this moment of glory he has his feet firmly on the ground acknowledging the support he had, to arrive at this level. “I want to give credit of my success to my coach Aditya Sachdev and I thank my parents and sisters for all their support.”

Yes we can!

Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi claimed the
Australian Open 2009 mixed doubles crown in
emphatic fashion, downing Nathalie Dechy and Andy Ram
6-3 6-1 at the Rod Laver Arena on February 1, 2009.

He acknowledges that he has learned a lot from his sisters Ankita and Sanaa who have not only been national champions but have played on the international circuit as well. Both Ankita and Sanaa are members of the current Indian Federation Cup team. Though Yuki does not have a family with a sports history, his parents Chander and Indu have been very supportive of their children pursuing their dreams in sports.

Yuki is focused and passionate about his game. His hunger for greater goals in his game together with hard work and dedication will certainly bring more laurels to Indian tennis. Buoyed by the breakthrough, Yuki plans to switch onto the senior circuit as soon as possible. Yuki has the spark within himself to set Indian tennis on fire in the years to come.

Indians who have won junior Grand Slams and more

Ramanathan Krishnan (1954 Wimbledon)	Ramesh Krishnan (1979 Wimbledon, French Open)	Leander Paes (1990 Wimbledon, US Open)
The first Asian to win the 1954 Wimbledon Boys title. Reached the semis of the men’s singles at Wimbledon in 1960 and 1961. Part of the Davis Cup team that reached the final in 1966.	Apart from two junior Grand Slam titles, Ramesh Krishnan reached three Grand Slam quarterfinals, and was part of the Indian team which reached the 1987 Davis Cup final.	Leander won the 1990 Wimbledon Boys’ title and became World No 1. Paes has eight Grand Slam doubles and mixed double titles and also won a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.