Sumit Nagal is an Indian tennis player who made history by winning the ATP Challenger in 2017. He became the first Indian in 20 years to achieve this feat, and the first Indian to win a Challenger title since 2009. In this blog, we will discuss the journey of Sumit Nagal, his background, achievements, and his future prospects.
Nagal’s Background
Sumit Nagal was born on August 16, 1997, in Jhajjar, Haryana. He started playing tennis at the age of six and showed great potential at an early age. His father, who is a teacher, supported his passion for tennis and enrolled him in the Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academy in Bangalore. His first major achievement came when he won the under-14 category in the National Championship
Sumit Nagal’s Early Career
Sumit Nagal continued to excel in junior tennis and won several national and international tournaments. In 2015, he won the Wimbledon Boys’ Doubles title partnering with Vietnam’s Lý Hoàng Nam. The same year, he won the bronze medal in the Asian Youth Games. In 2016, he won the ITF Men’s Futures tournament in Thailand, which was his first professional title.
Breakthrough in Professional Tennis
Sumit Nagal’s breakthrough came in 2017, when he won the ATP Challenger in Bangalore. He defeated Jay Clarke of Great Britain in the final, becoming the first Indian to win an ATP Challenger title in 20 years. This victory gave him a lot of confidence, and he continued to perform well in the ATP circuit.
In 2018, Sumit Nagal won the Bengaluru Open and moved up to a career-high ranking of 225. The current ranking is 347 as on 24th of April. He also won the Vietnam Open and reached the quarter-finals of the ATP Challenger in Chennai. In 2019, he reached the semi-finals of the Banja Luka Challenger in Bosnia and Herzegovina and won the Buenos Aires Challenger in Argentina. He also qualified for the US Open, where he played against Roger Federer in the first round. Although he lost the match, he won a set against the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
Nagal’s Recent Performances
Sumit Nagal had a good start to the 2020 season, reaching the quarter-finals of the ATP Challenger in Bangkok. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the tennis calendar, and he had to take a break from the sport. In 2021, he made a strong comeback, reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open qualifying tournament. He also reached the semi-finals of the Biella Challenger in Italy and the finals of the Prague Challenger in the Czech Republic.
Playing Style
Sumit Nagal is known for his aggressive playing style, and he likes to attack the net. He has a powerful serve and a strong forehand, which are his main weapons. He is also a good mover on the court and has good court coverage. He is a hard worker and is constantly looking to improve his game.
Sumit Nagal is a rising star in Indian tennis, and his achievements have put India on the map in the world of tennis. He has shown that with hard work and dedication, one can achieve great success in the sport. His victory in the ATP Challenger in 2017 was a historic moment for Indian tennis. His aggressive playing style and strong mental attitude have made him a fan favorite, and he has the potential to become one of the top players in the world. We wish him all the best for his future endeavors and hope that he continues to make India proud.
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