Sumit Nagal - India’s number 1 Tennis player reveals his sad financial plight   

Indian tennis has given the world huge names like Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza. These players have won India lots of laurels on the court during their illustrious careers.

After the retirement of the three big Indian players, tennis in India has started to see a decline. Sumit Nagal, is a name many hardcore fans of tennis were familiar with. The youngster had won the Wimbledon Boy’s doubles title in 2015. Aged just 18 then, Sumit Nagal was touted as the next big hope.

8 years down the line, Sumit Nagal has become a forgotten story. The story though keeps getting depressing. The youngster is struggling to keep himself going due to financial constraints. The plight suffered by Sumit Nagal is surely one of the biggest proof of why sports in India need more attention.

Sumit Nagal (Source: Twitter)

Sumit Nagal shares his sad state of affairs

26-year-old Sumit Nagal is the biggest hope for Indian tennis. The man from New Delhi is currently ranked at 159 in the world. Sumit Nagal, made headlines when he reached the second round of the US Open in 2020. Since then he has suffered with injuries few bouts of COVID-19 before making an emphatic return to form this year.

Sumit Nagal though is struggling financially and shared his plight during an interview with PTI. The 26-year-old said, “If I look at my bank balance, I have what I had at the beginning of the year. It is 900 euros. I did get a bit of help. Mr. Prashant Sutar is helping me with MAHA Tennis Foundation and I also get monthly salary from IOCL but I don’t have any big sponsor." The youngster from Delhi was downcast with the authorities not taking note of his achievements. Speaking to PTI, Sumit Nagal said “I feel like am lacking support despite being India’s number 1 player for past few years. I am the only to player to qualify for Grand Slams, only player to win at match at the Olympics in last few years, and still, the government hasn’t added my name to the TOPS”

2022 was a tough year for Sumit Nagal as he had to struggle with fitness issues. The youngster also had to battle the dreaded Coronavirus a few times. Sumit Nagal further said “I felt when my ranking dripped after my injury, no one wanted to help me, no one really believed I could be back. That was disappointing because I feel whatever I do isn’t enough. It’s so hard to find financial support in India. To be honest I don’t know what to do, I have given up”

The Indian star sounded hopeful by the time his interaction with PTI ended where he said he was improving. Sumit Nagal also said he was ready to push into the next level if his fitness holds. One hopes the youngster can be helped and he makes India proud with his achievements on the tennis court.