India’s highest ranked male player Yuki Bhambri has confirmed that he will not play in the Chennai Open after failing to recover from injury.
The world No.93 was scheduled to open up his 2016 season at his home tournament, which gets underway on January 4th. The withdrawal is a blow to Bhambri, who enjoyed a breakthrough season on the tour this year. In October the 23-year-old became the first Indian player to enter the top 100 since 2010. This year Bhambri has won 47 matches on the ATP Tour, claiming three titles. After winning a Futures tournament in Uzbekistan during April, the Indian No.1 claimed two Challenger titles in Shanghai and Pune. He also successfully qualified for his first Grand Slam main draw at the Australian Open where he lost in the first round to Andy Murray.
Despite the latest injury blow, Bhambri wrote on Facebook that he is still hopeful to be ready in time for the first Grand Slam of 2016.
Unfortunately my recovery has taken longer than I expected and so will not be able to play in Chennai this year. Going to keep working to be ready for Australia
Posted by Yuki Bhambri on Saturday, December 26, 2015
Bhambri hasn’t played a match on the tour since November at the Hua Hin Challenger in Thailand. At the tournament he retired midway through his first round match due to injury. Despite the recent set back, during a interview with Asian News International (ANI) the 23-year-old revealed what his target is for 2016.
“The goal is to play all the four Grand Slams, to be in the main draw so that I can maintain my ranking in the top 100.” Bhambri told ANI.
Bhambri first rose to prominence in 2009 when he won the Australian Open Boys’ singles title. Since then he has steadily risen up the rankings. Since 2014 Bhambri has climbed over 150 places to reach the top 100. He has also won praise from fellow player Andy Murray, who has previously described him as ‘solid at the net’ during their encounter at this years Australian Open.
