Rocketman: Ranked below 500 last year, Sumit Nagal makes historic return to Majors

MELBOURNE, January 16

Advertisement

Sumit Nagal, India’s top-ranked singles player, was left with less than a thousand dollars in his bank account at one point last year so it was no surprise he was beaming today after ensuring a bumper payday at the Australian Open.

The world No. 137 had battled his way through three rounds of qualifying and in the first round proper guaranteed himself a cheque for at least A$180,000 ($119,016) by stunning 31st seed Alexander Bublik 6-4 6-2 7-6(5) on a rowdy Court Six.

It was the biggest win of his career and he became the first Indian man in 35 years to beat a seeded player in a Grand Slam singles draw, matching Ramesh Krishnan’s feat in ousting defending champion Mats Wilander at Melbourne Park in 1989.

“Obviously, I’m not crying right now but at the same time it hasn’t completely sunk in,” the 26-year-old said. “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,” he added.

Obviously, I’m not crying right now but at the same time it hasn’t completely sunk in. 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. Sumit Nagal

“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,” he added.

Like most children growing up in India, Haryana-born Nagal wanted to be a cricketer but it was his teacher father who insisted he swap bat and ball for a racquet.

He famously took a set off Roger Federer in a first-round loss at the 2019 US Open on his Grand Slam main draw debut and reached the second round the following year before losing to eventual champion Dominic Thiem.

The Indian, who trains in Germany, endured a tough time with injury and had hip surgery in 2021 but battled back and captured two challenger titles last year to climb into top 150. “I’ve worked very hard with my team and I’m proud of myself to be able to handle the things I’m going through and be able to perform the way I want to,” Nagal said.

Nagal will take on China’s Shang Juncheng next but the Indian is not dwelling on the match too much. “I want to go through this moment, take my time, enjoy being with my coach and have a conversation,” Nagal said. “Maybe eat a burger and call it a night.” — Reuters

DAY 3 HIGHLIGHTS

BHAMBRI-HAASE OUT

India’s Yuki Bhambri and his Dutch partner Robin Haase squandered three match points in the deciding set to go down against Nicolas Barrientos of Colombia and Rafael Matos of Brazil in the men’s doubles first round. The unseeded pair lost 6-1 6-7(8-10) 6-7(7-10) in a match that lasted two hours and 26 minutes.

IGA STARTS WITH WIN

Four-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek overcame a tough first set before wrapping up her match in style, claiming a 7-6(2) 6-2 victory over American Sofia Kenin in a rematch of the 2020 French Open final.

ZVEREV BOUNCES BACK

Alexander Zverev recovered from a shaky first set to beat fellow German Dominik Koepfer 4-6 6-3 7-6(3) 6-3. The world No. 6 dug deep to win a competitive third set and broke an error-prone Koepfer’s serve early in the fourth set in a game that lasted nearly nine minutes to secure a decisive lead.

DOMINANT ALCARAZ

World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz beat Richard Gasquet 7-6(5) 6-1 6-2 to start his campaign. After the 72-minute first set went down to the wire, the two-time Major winner hit his stride. The second and third sets combined took the 20-year-old less time to win than the first.

RYBAKINA IN A HURRY

Third seed Elena Rybakina made quick work of Czech Karolina Pliskova in her opening round encounter, winning 7-6(6) 6-4 in 93 minutes. Rybakina, the runner-up in Melbourne last year, sent down six aces and 25 winners en route to a routine victory.