Sumit Nagal of India performs a backhand return to Shang Juncheng of China throughout their second spherical match at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP
Sumit Nagal’s profession has been a narrative of struggles, accidents, defeats, and some successes alongside the manner.
For the Indian, all of it started right here, in a manner. In February last year, he reached the semifinals of the ATP Challenger as a wild card entry in qualifying. That efficiency gave him the required momentum to restart his profession another time. He went on to win a Challenger in April 2023 in Rome — changing into the first Indian to win on European clay.
When the 26-year-old returns to the metropolis to tackle a qualifier in the foremost draw of the Chennai Open right here on Tuesday, he would really like to do one better as the second seed. But, as all the time, the quintessential skilled mentioned he is specializing in one match at a time.
“It’s great to play a Challenger in Chennai. It is a privilege to play at home. I played in qualifying last time here and this time in the main draw. I am looking forward to it,” he mentioned. “Playing against a qualifier will be tough as they have already had a taste of the conditions,” he added.
Sumit turned the first Indian since Ramesh Krishnan in 1989 to beat a seeded participant in a singles foremost draw of a Grand Slam, when he defeated Alexander Bublik in the first spherical of the Australian Open last month.
After a number of hectic weeks, Sumit mentioned it’s good to be again at house. “I was at home for a few days, took some days off as my body was tired. Now it is back to the routine. I’ve been practising for the last few days,” mentioned the Indian, ranked a career-high 121 in the world.
After making waves in Melbourne, Sumit will need to proceed his good run in a metropolis which has been a fortunate mascot for him.
