Sumit Nagal Thanks Virat Kohli After Achieving Historic Feat
Published - 17 Jan 2024, 02:16 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:25 AM
Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal expressed gratitude to Virat Kohli’s foundation following his historic first-round victory in the Australian Open 2024. Sumit Nagal mentioned that the Virat Kohli Foundation provided financial assistance during his challenging times.
On Tuesday, January 16, Sumit Nagal secured a significant victory by defeating 31st seed Alexander Bublik in the first round of the Australian Open men’s singles. Smith has become the first Indian since Ramesh Krishnan in 1989 to beat a seeded player in a Grand Slam.
Nagal was associated with the Virat Kohli Foundation from 2017 to 2021. In a 2019 interview, India’s No. 1 tennis star revealed how Virat Kohli and his venture provided crucial support during challenging times, including a period when he had a mere $6 to his name.
Virat Kohli’s Foundation Has Helped Me – Sumit Nagal
Sumit Nagal made history by advancing to the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time in 35 years, defeating a seeded player in the opening round. Following his historic win, numerous cricketers congratulated him, but Nagal expressed gratitude to Kohli.
“I speak to Virat Kohli once in a while. I was also a part of the Virat Kohli foundation. His foundation has helped me, I would like to thank him for all the support in those years. You know, which Indian doesn’t like cricket? I follow it and watch it whenever I get a chance, yeah,” Nagal told reporters after beating Bublik in straight sets.
In December 2023, Nagal disclosed that he had only Rs 80,000 in his bank account. Now, he has secured a substantial amount, ensuring a minimum of Rs 98 lakh, marking a significant improvement from his financial challenges just four years ago.
I Learnt A Lot During My Break – Sumit Nagal
Sumit Nagal reflected on his recent struggles with injuries, describing the past few months as a mix of challenges and growth. He said that the break from tennis due to injury contributed to his development as a more mature player.
“The last 12-18 months had been both good and bad. Bad due to my injury, and good because I learned a lot during my break. When I returned to the court after the injury, it made me a better and more mature player. I felt and understood tennis much better, and I think that is paying off on the courts,” he said while speaking to Sony Sports Network.
“When I saw him doing that, I knew I have to be there and just have to give him another ball. Serve a lot of first serves, and not give him chances too many times, and I think that worked well for me. Make him move a lot, and get him more and more annoyed.”
Currently ranked 137th globally, Nagal, who has never advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam, is set to compete in the second round of a Major for the second time. His previous second-round appearance resulted in a straight-sets defeat to Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open.
Also read: Yashasvi Jaiswal Reveals What Virat Kohli Told Him When He Walked In To Bat vs Afghanistan
