Mumbai: Sumit Nagal has had some elite firm in his current coaching classes. On the blue courts in Abu Dhabi, Nagal had a hitting companion in world No.6 Casper Ruud. This all comes as part of Nagal being invited to compete on the World Tennis League pre-season exhibition occasion.
Sumit Nagal. (AFP)
However the 27-year-old has earned the best to that invitation. For the primary time in his profession, he has completed a season inside the highest 100.
“This is my best season so far,” Nagal, ranked 98 on the earth, informed HT.
“To finish the year (inside the top 100) gives me a lot of motivation and confidence. I know how important it is to have that good confidence throughout the year.”
Nagal began the 12 months ranked 138 on the earth however collected 80 essential rating factors after reaching the second spherical of the Australian Open in January – that too after beginning within the qualifiers. However it was within the event following that, when he received the ATP Challenger occasion in Chennai in February, by which he managed to interrupt into the highest 100 for the primary time in his profession.
“That week was very special for me, and I don’t think I could have asked for a better place for that experience,” he mentioned. “It was very emotional. I was crying on the court after the final.”
Breaking the barrier meant {that a} new world opened up for him. He was granted entry into tournaments he had by no means managed to play in earlier than: “Stockholm, Paris, Monte Carlo, Shanghai, Indian Wells, Miami, Dubai, Geneva…” he listed.
Importantly although, he managed to play in the principle draw of all of the 4 Grand Slams this 12 months, reaching the second spherical in Melbourne.
“This was a great experience and it helped me for the year,” he mentioned. “It made me understand better what works and what does not. I understood things like how to deal with different conditions and even about the racquet stringing.”
Alongside the best way he additionally managed to win one other Challenger, in Heilbronn, Germany, earlier than ending as finalist on the Perugia Challenger every week later. The regular climb up the rating ladder – he obtained to as excessive as 68 in July – noticed him qualify for his second Olympic Video games.
And this all got here only a 12 months after he returned to the tour after a prolonged damage layoff that required surgical procedure. His comeback to the tour in January 2023 noticed him ranked 503, however he’s managed to claw his manner again to the place he as soon as was and go even additional.
Sadly, he didn’t stay injury-free as a again concern compelled him to skip just a few weeks from the tour after the US Open in September. It took him some time to get better, however the niggle affected his type probably the most – he received just one match in his final 11 tournaments.
“It was stopping me a lot, especially towards the end of the year,” Nagal mentioned. “I didn’t really enjoy that. (Injury is) part of (the game) and it’s not the first time I went through this. I’m kind of used to it and I’ve tried my best to get away from it. But I’m happy that the body is feeling well and we will take it from here next year.”
Part of the preparation is to soak in as a lot info as he can as he rubs shoulders with among the greatest gamers on the earth in Abu Dhabi. The classes with Ruud, he asserted, had been invaluable.
“I’ve hit with Casper a few times, he’s a lovely guy,” Nagal added. “His game style is similar to mine. But he’s very good at what he does and there are a few things he does which are very brave. I’m just trying to learn from him and use it in my game.”
Nagal has spent just a few weeks now between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, clocking in a great quantity of apply whereas additionally making an attempt to get again into the identical pre-injury rhythm that noticed him hit new strides. It has reached a stage the place he feels he’s prepared for the brand new season.
“I’m feeling quite good on the court,” he mentioned. “I’m eager to play again, with a fresh mind and a fresh body.”