Yuki and Balaji have a great chance of going deep at Wimbledon: Vijay Amritraj
New Delhi, July 2
Indian tennis great Vijay Amritraj has backed Yuki Bhambri and N. Sriram Balaji to emerge as India's biggest hopes at Wimbledon 2026, saying both men's doubles teams have the quality to make deep runs at the All England Club.
Speaking ahead of their opening-round matches, Amritraj stressed that Bhambri's fitness and Balaji's growing partnership with Brazilian Marcelo Demoliner could prove decisive in their pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title.
Amritraj believes Bhambri's biggest opponent is not any rival across the net, but his own fitness after battling recurring injuries over the years. "The most important thing with Yuki is whether he's fit enough. He's always had a few niggling injuries here and there, and they've almost become more of a mental issue than a physical one," Amritraj told JioStar.
The former India Davis Cup captain said an injury-free Bhambri is capable of challenging the world's best and urged him to play without inhibitions.
"I really want him to be fit, go out there, go for broke, and play freely. He's had a great run in the doubles, and I think both the boys have a great chance of going deep in this tournament, perhaps even reaching the semi-finals, the final, and winning it," he added.
Amritraj was equally optimistic about N. Sriram Balaji and Marcelo Demoliner, pointing to their recent consistency as a sign that they can build on their impressive run at Roland Garros, as he said, "To reach the quarter-finals on clay is even tougher because you're going to run down so many balls, and you can't always put them away. But they're playing well together, so I believe they've got a really good chance."
According to Amritraj, reaching the last eight at the French Open should give the Indo-Brazilian pair the confidence to aim even higher on grass, where quicker conditions could work in their favour. "If they can make the quarter-finals in Paris, they can certainly make the semi-finals, even the final at Wimbledon," he said.
He added that self-belief will be the biggest factor if Balaji and Demoliner are to convert their potential into a breakthrough result at the year's third Grand Slam. "I think it's important for them to believe in themselves and go after it, especially on the big points," he stated.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm cautiously optimistic after reading this. Yuki's talent has never been in doubt—it's his fitness that breaks our hearts every time. Hope this Wimbledon is different!
Vijay Amritraj is spot on about Balaji and Demoliner—they have real chemistry on court. Their quarter-final run at Roland Garros was no fluke. Grass suits serve-and-volley players, so they could actually go all the way! Ace of a comment from Sir Vijay. 👏
Honest question: Why does Amritraj always sound so optimistic but Indian tennis never delivers at the biggest stage? I'd love to see Yuki prove me wrong, but after years of "great chance" talk, I'll believe it when I see it. #WaitingForBreakthrough
I'm so proud of Yuki Bhambri! Coming back from injuries multiple times shows his mental strength. Amritraj is right—if he plays freely without fear of getting hurt, he can beat anyone. Let's go boys! 🏆🇮🇳
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