On Tuesday, Sumit Nagal, the face of Indian tennis and its highest-ranked singles player, achieved a significant milestone in his career by defeating World No. 27 Alexander Bublik in the first round of the Australian Open. Seeded 31st, Bublik was taken by surprise as Nagal, ranked 110 positions below him, showcased an aggressive style of play. This victory stands out as a historic moment in Indian tennis, making Nagal the first Indian to defeat a seeded opponent in a Grand Slam since Ramesh Krishnan’s triumph over Mats Wilander at the 1989 Australian Open.
Nagal’s remarkable win is magnified by the circumstances surrounding him. Denied a wildcard nomination by the AITA in December, Nagal, who gained attention last year when he revealed having only INR 80,000 in his bank account, fought tenaciously. He progressed through the qualifiers and secured a place in the men’s first round. Nagal’s victory was celebrated by notable figures such as Sachin Tendulkar, Dinesh Karthik, and Rohan Bopanna. However, the absence of Virat Kohli’s name in the congratulatory messages raised eyebrows.
While Kohli may not be directly responsible for Nagal’s success, he played an indirect role in the tennis sensation’s resurgence. Nagal was a part of the Virat Kohli foundation, and the support he received became a crucial part of his journey. In a 2019 interview, Nagal expressed gratitude towards Kohli and his foundation for aiding him during challenging times, including a period when he had only 6 USD. Despite the absence of a direct mention from Kohli after Nagal’s recent victory, the tennis player acknowledged their occasional communication and his continued admiration for the cricketer.
“I speak to him once in a while. I was also a part of his foundation. Thanks to him for all those years. You know, which Indian doesn’t like cricket? I follow it and watch it whenever I get a chance, yeah,” Nagal remarked after his straight-set victory over Bublik.
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Reflecting on his recent struggles with injuries, Nagal explained the mindset he adopted during the match against Bublik, where he noticed the opponent talking to himself and his box between serves. Nagal emphasized the positive aspects of his recent break from tennis, stating that it made him a better and more mature player, contributing to his improved understanding of the game and on-court performance.