I'm more than capable of pulling off a few upsets: Yuki Bhambri

India’s top singles tennis player Yuki Bhambri talks to Rutvick Mehta about excitement of playing in main draw of French Open, getting back into top-100 of world rankings after two years and how he can go one level higher from hereon

This is the first time you'll be playing in the main draw of the French Open, having got a direct entry. How kicked are you about that?

Really excited. I've played the qualifying rounds before, and there's always a goal to play in the main draw. So to be able to finally do it, I'm really looking forward to it.

Is clay the toughest surface for you to play on, especially with the kind of game you have?

It is, as is the case with most of them on the Tour I feel. It's a lot more different than compared to playing on other surfaces. But that's the challenge, and I'm looking forward to it. I have a couple of days to prepare, to adapt to the surface. So, it shouldn't be a problem. Hopefully, I get some luck with the draw.

Luck of the draw is a crucial thing, isn't it? You don't want to run into Rafael Nadal in Round 1 on clay...

You don't want to run into Rafa at any stage of the tournament (laughs). And, definitely not with the way he's playing at the moment. I think that's one person everybody wants to avoid, not just me.

But yes, you do need a little bit of luck with the draw. Having said that, I think I'm more than capable of pulling off a few upsets. So, I just want to go out there, have fun and give it my best shot.

Looking back at your season so far, you've broken into the top-100 of the ATP rankings for first time since 2016. But it's been up and down over the last couple of years with injuries and dip in form. How do you deal with such fluctuations?

It's been tough, it really has. But the last year to year-and-a-half has been really good. I've been consistent, I've played a lot and it shows in my results and rankings. It makes a huge difference when you're not starting and stopping, mentally as well as physically. I think that has what has made me consistent in some of the bigger events, just having so many matches behind me, having a good pre-season training and playing regularly on the Tour.

What different have you done physically to be able to achieve that?

I think I've usually come back a lot better. I understand my body a bit better now. Sometimes, you have a little bit of bad luck as well. But I'm doing whatever I can on my part to remain healthy, to continue to train at a certain level, to take breaks, to push myself when needed, or to sometimes have easier days. So for me, it has been about trying to find the right balance between playing a lot of matches, sticking to a schedule and trying to improve every time.

You've had two wins and three losses against top-100 players this year. You've done well in the ATP Indian Wells and ATP Miami Open, but have suffered early losses in some Challenger events. Is getting more consistent the big challenge for you now?

Definitely. At this point, if I have kept giving myself chances to play those top-100 guys, then I have done reasonably well so far. But yes, the key is going to be consistency, to keep this level up for the remainder of the season now and see how it goes.

But how can you go that one level higher from now, going deeper in ATP tournaments and probably even Grand Slams? Is it more a mental challenge than a skill one?

Well, I hope experience would help, just me being there before. I had never played Indian Wells, not really played in Miami before. So, having done that and playing some matches in those bigger stages will definitely help. And then when you play against some of these big guys, it gives you a chance to reflect on how you are doing, and what more you need to improve upon. So, I think just playing them at this level will help me go one step higher.

Having crossed the top-100 barrier again, what are your goals for the rest of the season?

I would like to play the big events, I want to play the Slams, I want to play the Masters. That's what I'm trying to focus on, and not really worry about the ranking (world No. 94 currently). I can be 70, 60, 50, I'm not setting limits for myself. All my focus right now is on giving myself an opportunity to play those big guys at the big events more consistently.

YUKI AT GRAND SLAMS

Australia Open: Round 1 (2018, 2016, 2015), Qualifying Round 3 (2017), Qualifying Round 1 (2014, 2013, 2010)

French Open: Qualifying Round 1 (2017)

Wimbledon: Qualifying Round 1 (2015, 2012)

US Open: Qualifying Round 2 (2014, 2012), Qualifying Round 1 (2017, 2015)

N ZONE

2 No. of victories Yuki Bhambri has tasted over top-100 players this year so far: then world No. 12 Lucas Pouille (Indian Wells Round of 16) and then 75th-ranked Mirza Basic (Miami Round of 68)