In the Australian Open 2024, Sumit Nagal overcame Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, ranked number 27, to advance to the second round.
On Tuesday, Sumit Nagal, the top-ranked singles tennis player in India, upset Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, rated number 27, to advance to the second round of the Australian Open 2024. In a match that lasted two hours and forty-eight minutes, Nagal prevailed 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (7/5)—a stunning victory. This was the first Grand Slam match in which an Indian tennis player defeated a seeded opponent since 1989. The previous time it happened was in 1989, when Ramesh Krishnan defeated the reigning Australian Open winner and world number one, Mats Wilander. One of Nagal’s greatest career triumphs, it marked a substantial improvement for the tennis player who had been making news due to his difficulties.
In an interview with PTI in 2023, Nagal disclosed his financial difficulties, stating that he needed to spend about Rs. 1 crore a year to stay afloat on the ATP Tour and that the most money he had in his account was about Rs. 80,000.
“If I check my bank account balance, it is the same as it was at the start of the year. It’s worth 900 euros, or roughly 80,000 rupees. It did help a little bit. I receive a monthly salary from IOCL and assistance from Mr. Prashant Sutar with the MAHA Tennis Foundation, but I don’t have any major sponsors,” Nagal said in an interview with news sources.
After the interview, the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) and the well-known beverage firm PepsiCo India provided him with assistance. For the tennis player, receiving financial assistance was essential, and his performance in the Australian Open thus far has been the ideal conclusion of his quest.
Following his lack of a wildcard admission into the Australian Open, Nagal participated in the qualification matches. With three straight victories, he secured his spot and ultimately made approximately AUD 120,000.
Nagal advanced to the Australian Open’s second round for the first time with the victory over Bublik, which also brought him an additional AUD 180,000 (about Rs 98 lakh). The Indian player ranked 137th in the world will be participating in his second Grand Slam round of play.
In the second round, Nagal will now play Chinese wildcard Juncheng Shang. If Nagal wins, it will be the first time in his career that a tennis player has won a million Australian dollars (around AUD 255,000).
