Tendulkar is my inspiration: Yuki Bhambri

Sep 26, ToI

KOLKATA: Fresh from his memorabale Davis Cup debut, India's new teen sensation Yuki Bhambri on Saturday said he draws inspiration from cricket
icon Sachin Tendulkar to deliver at the highest level.

"At this level, expectation will be there. There are hopes of a billion people on Tendulkar to hit a century every time he takes the bat. He is still the best player and continues to perform for the country," the 17-year-old Delhi lad said.

"Tendulkar is one of my idols whom I love to watch and draw inspiration from. In tennis, I like Rafael Nadal among the present crop of players and Pete Sampras from the past."

Replacing injured Leander Paes in the Davis Cup tie against South Africa, Yuki defeated Izak Van der Merwe in the dead fifth rubber to complete India's comprehensive 4-1 win.

Yuki said he dreams of bettering the record of Paes, who recently won the US Open doubles title with Lukas Dlouhy.

"You can never really replace a legend like Leander Paes, he is such a great player. But hopefully I will do even better than him (Paes). The goal is to play the Grand Slam in a couple of years and to be among the best in the world.

"But there is still time for that and there is a lot of improvements to be done," Yuki told.