India’s top-ranked men’s singles player Sumit Nagal recalled his recent struggles after he clinched one of the biggest wins of his career at Australian Open 2024. The youngster became the first Indian to beat a seeded opponent at the Australian Open since 1989.
Nagal created history when he defeated the 27th-ranked Alexander Bublik to storm into the 2nd round of the Australian Open. Before Nagal, Ramesh Krishnan defeated Mats Wilander at the 1989 Australian Open. It was a moment of pride for India when Nagal defeated Bublik 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 in a match that lasted two hours and 38 minutes.
India’s No. 1 ranked tennis player made a shocking revelation in September 2023 that he was left with only Rs 80,000 in his bank account due to handling the expenses of the sport. This win not only ensured Nagal a bumper payday at the office but also is expected to fetch more sponsor deals for the player.
Nagal was elated with the progress he made and touted last year as his best as an athlete. He finished 2023 with a world ranking of 130.
“These moments you’ll go through as an athlete. Sometimes you have a good year, sometimes a bad one. Last year was probably one of the best years, (from having only) 900 euros, not getting into events for the first few months and relying on wild cards, to finishing inside the top 130,” Nagal told the broadcasters.
Nagal was not given a wildcard entry to the Australian Open, but he took part in the qualifying rounds and took the tough route to the main draw. With three wins on the trot, he booked his berth for the Australian Open. It is the 2nd time that Nagal qualified beyond the 1st round of a Grand Slam. In the 2020 US Open, Nagal defeated Bradley Klahn 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, but lost to Dominic Theim in the 2nd round.
The 26-year-old also admitted that the win against Bublik hadn’t completely sunk in for him. However, he was proud to come this far and to be playing in the 2nd round.
“Obviously, I’m not crying right now but at the same time it hasn’t completely sunk in. From where I started, I was pretty proud of myself to be able to give myself another chance to be here, to qualify and play a second round. It’s a good feeling, ” Nagal told the reporters.
India’s Nagal will take on China’s Shang Juncheng in the next round on January 18, Thursday.
