Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal receives singles wildcard for Australian Open 2021

The 23-year-old also took to social media to express his happiness at his latest achievement.

It has been officially announced that Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal has received a singles wildcard entry for the Australian Open 2021. Sumit and Wang Xiyu of China will now compete in the main draw after being named recipients of the tournament's wildcard entries from the Asia-Pacific region.

The other players to have received main-draw wildcard entries to the tournament include Daria Gavrilova, Astra Sharma, Christopher O'Connell, Maddison Inglis, Lizette Cabrera, and Marc Polmans. Their entries were confirmed prior to Christmas day this year.

Sumit Nagal, ranked 136 in the world, is the second-highest ranked Indian after Prajnesh Gunneswaran who is at the 129th place. The 23-year-old has had a good year so far, winning his first-ever main-draw match at a Grand Slam by beating US' Bradley Klahn 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the first round of the US Open 2020. He then lost to eventual champion Dominic Thiem in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 in the next round.

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"I am very thankful to all the people who put effort in helping me get a wild card for the 2021 Australian Open. Thanks to Tennis Australia for all their effort to make this slam possible in these circumstances," Nagal tweeted.

Former world number one Andy Murray has also received a wild-card entry into the mega-event. Murray is one of eight main-draw wildcard recipients to be announced, joining Aussies Thanasi Kokkinakis (SA), Alex Bolt (SA), Aleksandar Vukic (NSW), Destanee Aiava (Vic), and Arina Rodionova (Vic).

"We welcome Andy back to Melbourne with open arms. As a five-time finalist he has been an integral part of so many amazing matches and storylines in the recent history of the Australian Open," said Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley in an official statement.

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"His retirement was an emotional moment and seeing him come back, having undergone major surgery and built himself back up to get onto the tour again, will be a highlight of AO 2021," he added.

The mega-event will take place at Melbourne Park from February 8-21 and will feature singles, doubles, and wheelchair competitions.

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