Sumit Nagal apologises for 'taunting' gesture after stunning win at Maia Challenger
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Nagal fought back from a set down to defeat second-seed Henrique Rocha in three sets
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Sumit Nagal has apologised for a taunting gesture towards the crowd after his first-round win at the Maia Challenger in Portugal. The Indian No. 1 beat second seed Henrique Rocha 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) in what was his first match on indoor clay.
The decider was a nerve-shredder. Rocha, eight days after winning the Porto title, served for the match twice. He did so first at 5-4 and again at 6-5 in the third set.
In the tie-break Nagal led 4-2, slipped to 4-5, then won the next three points to close it out. His post-win celebration drew boos from the Portuguese crowd.
Nagal moved quickly to calm things down. He posted on his Instagram story: “To the crowd in Maia, I want to apologise for the talking gesture I made after the match. It was a heat-of-the-moment reaction, and it wasn’t the right way to respond.
“I respect everyone who came out to watch, and I appreciate you being there. I’ve also spoken to Henrique and apologised to him personally.”
Also Read: What went wrong for Indian tennis at Asian Games 2026?
The win was a welcome result in a difficult year for Nagal. He began 2026 with a hip injury from a Challenger in Thailand, and was then rushed back for the Davis Cup tie against the Netherlands in February, but lost both his matches.
He won a Challenger in Romania, his seventh career title and first since June 2024, and reached a semi-final in Czechia in August.
Recent results have been modest, as he was beaten by Wu Yibing in his Asian Games quarter-final, going down 4-6, 4-6. In September’s Davis Cup qualifier in Seoul, Nagal once again lost both his singles matches to Hyeon Chung and Kwon Soon-woo, and India eventually went down 3-1.
Ranked 280th, Nagal now moves into the round of 16 at Maia, where he will look to build on the win without any more off-court noise. The Indian will be up against Luka Mikrut from Croatia, who won a challenger event in Genoa last month.
Why did Sumit Nagal apologise to fans after his first-round win at the Maia Challenger?
Nagal issued an apology on Instagram after appearing to mock fans, with a “talking gesture” following his win over local favourite Henrique Rocha in the opening round in Maia. Nagal’s reaction was perhaps aimed at fans’ vociferous support of Rocha during the match.
What did Sumit Nagal say in his apology?
“I want to apologise for the talking gesture I made after the match. It was a heat-of-the-moment reaction, and it wasn’t right way to respond. I respect everyone who came out to watch and I appreciate you being there. I’ve also spoken to Henrique and apologised to him personally.
What was the score of Sumit Nagal vs Henrique Rocha clash in Maia Challenger 2026?
Nagal defeated the second-seeded Rocha 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(5).
Who will Sumit Nagal face in the second round of the Maia Challenger?
Nagal will face Croatia’s Luka Mikrut in the pre-quarterfinals.
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