Nagal Opens Up About 2024 Season, Davis Cup Controversy During Exclusive Interview on First Sports Show

In a candid interview on the popular sports show 'First Sports', Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal spoke about his highs and lows from an eventful 2024 season, including his foray into the ATP Masters 1000 circuit and the controversy surrounding his Davis Cup participation.

Nagal's year got off to a strong start with breaking into the top 100 of the ATP rankings in February after winning the Chennai Open title. This milestone marked Nagal's first time entering the double-digit rankings, an achievement he described as "special" due to its significant impact on his career.

He also achieved another notable feat by becoming the first Indian to win an ATP Masters 1000 match, defeating Italian tennis player Matteo Arnaldi in April. What's more, Nagal made it to the second round of the Australian Open earlier this year but lost to China's Shang Juncheng.

Nagal spoke out on his year during an exclusive interview with Firstpost’s Rupha Ramani on 'Beyond the Line' segment of the show. When asked about his breakthrough year, he said, "You get these chances where one-two matches can change your life," highlighting the high stakes involved in playing at the top level.

However, Nagal's season was not without controversy. He faced criticism for opting out of India's Davis Cup tie against Sweden in September due to injury concerns. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) expressed concerns that he might be "possibly skipping" the tournament, but Nagal later clarified his reasons and explained that he had made the tough decision with the health of tennis at stake.

When questioned about balancing his priorities between playing for India and competing on the ATP Tour, Nagal acknowledged the challenges. However, he emphasized that representing his country will always be a priority, adding, "If I am available and have nothing going on, I am always looking forward to representing India."

The 27-year-old athlete concluded the interview stating, "I wasn’t really playing tennis, so what am I gonna say right?... Sometimes it makes more sense or less sense to play the ATP Tour. Obviously you have to make sure also about your rankings, what your goal are because at the end of the day, it’s the ATP that feeds you."

The exclusive interview offers a rare glimpse into Nagal's 2024 season, highlighting both his highs and challenging instances during an otherwise eventful year in international tennis.