"No better feeling than representing India in Olympics" - Sumit Nagal before Paris 2024 campaign
Sumit Nagal admitted that he had butterflies in his stomach when he stepped out to play in the Heilbronn Challenger Cup earlier this year. The 26-year-old held his nerves and went on to win the tournament after beating Alexander Ritschard in a thrilling three-setter in the final. Nagal also secured his berth in the Paris Olympics with his sixth ATP Challenger title.
Nagal is all set to begin his campaign in Paris to end India’s 28-year-old wait of winning a medal in tennis in the Olympics since Leander Paes achieved the landmark in the 1996 Games. On Sunday, Nagal will be up against France’s Corentin Mouten and could face World No.6 Alex de Minaur in the second round.
Nagal said that the tournament in Heilbronn not only helped him book a ticket to Paris, but also helped him grow as an individual.
“Yeah, of course you play tennis, you see the same tennis players. But then other sports are involved, it is something you feel like you work hard for, you know, to be around the best athletes in the world. I was kind of fighting for the very last week. It was kind of if I win it, the Challenger in Heilbronn, I make it, if I do not, I really do not know what would happen,” Nagal told in a video uploaded on ATP Challenger Tour.
“And to kind of play that whole week with that sort of thoughts in my mind, in my thought and to be able to do it, I think was a very proud and a good feeling towards my growth, I would say I guess I am the only singles player who are going to be representing India in the Olympics and there is no better feeling,” Nagal added.
Sumit Nagal and an excellent run before Paris Olympics
Sunit Nagal has had a memorable 2024 thus far. From once being ranked outside the top 500 one and a half years ago, the Indian youngster has taken rapid strides. He hogged the limelight when he took down Alexander Bublik in the opening round of the Australia.
Thereafter, Nagal won the Chennai Open and broke into the top 100 for the first time in his career. Later, he would also go on to secure direct entry into the main draws of French Open and Wimbledon.