Sumit Nagal earns spot in US Open main draw, becomes first Indian in five years to play in all four grand slams

Sumit Nagal will be featuring in the US Open singles main draw for the third time.

India’s No. #1 in singles, Sumit Nagal, secured his place in the upcoming US Open 2024 main draw, making it the first time in his career that he is set to appear in the main draw of all four Grand Slams (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open) in a single year.

This will be Nagal’s third appearance in the US Open and first since 2020. He also becomes the first Indian singles player since Prajnesh Gunneswaran in 2019 to feature in all four grand slams in the same year.

His third appearance at the upcoming US Open will also make Nagal only the second Indian after Somdev Devvarman to compete in three or more US Open main draws.

Australian Open ✅French Open ✅Wimbledon ✅US Open ⏳@nagalsumit is set to play in the final Grand Slam of the season making it 4/4 for him this year. 🇮🇳🥳#Tennis #SumitNagal pic.twitter.com/Hfo16sDEoR

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) July 17, 2024

The new world number #68 had made his grand slam main draw debut in 2019 at the US Open. He faced Roger Federer in the opening round and took the first set in the match. 

In the next season at the same venue, Nagal secured his maiden grand slam victory against Bradley Klahn in the first round. He lost to eventual champion, Dominic Thiem in the second round.

This will be Nagal’s seventh appearance in the singles main draw of a grand slam. He has a 2-6 record in the majors so far and will be looking to get his third grand slam win soon.

Also Read: Sumit Nagal achieves new career-high position in latest ATP rankings update

After his first-round exit at Wimbledon 2024, the 26-year-old played at the Braunschweig challengers event where he went down in the second round against Pedro Cachin. 

Nagal is currently playing at the Swedish Open. He recorded a win in the opening match against Elias Ymer and could potentially face Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals if he secures a win against Mariano Navane in the round of 16.

If Sumit Nagal overcomes Navane and Nadal beats Cameron Norrie, then it will be the pair’s first meeting on the tour. Nagal has been using Nadal’s motto of “Go on a court, make conditions tougher and fight hard for every point.”

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The motto has helped Sumit Nagal on and off the court. His roaring celebrations alongside the booming forehand has helped him lead his nation in the sport.

After the clay court event, he will be busy preparing for the Paris Olympics 2024. Nagal’s clay court preparations have been boosted by his form at Bastad. He will be hoping to bring the same kind of fearless attitude at Roland Garros stadium during the Paris Olympics 2024.

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