Sumit Nagal credits Virat Kohli for supporting him through tough times

India’s Tennis ace Sumit Nagal scripted history on Tuesday during the 2024 Australian Open. The 26-year-old won the first round and qualified for the next round which will be played on Thursday. Sumit Nagal became the second India to play the second round of the Australian Open in 35 years.

After the massive win on Tuesday, Sumit Nagal gave huge credit to Virat Kohli for helping him out. India’s new singles star spoke to the media and told how the Virat Kohli Foundation has been guiding him.

JC Shang from China will be Sumit Nagal’s next opponent in the second round. The 18-year-old beat Mackenzie McDonald of the USA In a five-set thrilling contest. The match is set to take place at 8 AM IST with huge Indian support expected.

Sumit Nagal shows appreciation to Virat Kohli 

After his first-round win over against Alexander Bublik, 26-year-old Sumit Nagal was ecstatic. India’s young star had outwitted the 31st-ranked opponent in straight sets to book his place into Round 2.

An old interview of Sumit Nagal with the Bombay Times has come to light. The 26-year-old said “Virat Kohli’s foundation has been supporting me since 2017. I haven’t been performing well for the last two years and was facing a financial crisis. If I didn’t have Virat Kohli supporting me, I don’t know what I would have done.”

Sumit Nagal also said “When I was flying from Canada to Germany after a tournament, I had six dollars in my wallet… just six dollars after the help that I have been getting, so imagine what a mess I must have been before. But I survived, and things are getting better. If people fund athletes, it will only help the sport flourish in the country. I am fortunate to get that support from Virat.”

Just last year there were questions raised about India’s inability to produce new Tennis stars. This latest performance from Sumit Nagal will hold India in good stead as they look for more success.

If Sumit Nagal can win the second round and advance to the next stage, it will be a monumental achievement. Till now only Sania Mirza has managed to do well in the last two decades. The former Hyderabadi ace reached the third round of the Australian Open and Sumit Nagal would like to emulate that.