Chennai, Jan 2 (IANS) Yuki Bhambri, the 19-year old former World No.1 junior, 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 Aircel Chennai Open here on Monday, Bhambri felt that players needed a full-fledged trainers and coaches to perform well on the tour.
‘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,’ he said.
Bhambri’s plea for support has come on the heels of a similar statement by Leander Paes on Sunday during a pre-event Media conference where the iconic player rued that young Indian players were not receiving enough support.
