Sumit Nagal exits in opening round of Wimbledon 2025 Qualifying; ends India's single challenge

The defeat extended Sumit Nagal’s woes in grass, where he is yet to win a match since turning pro.

India’s singles No. #1 Sumit Nagal suffered a disappointing defeat in round-1 of the Wimbledon 2025 qualifying against Giulio Zeppieri. Nagal simply could not start and finish well, with his poor success rate on first serves coming back to haunt him. The Italian enjoyed an excellent 82% and 71% win rate on first serves, in contrast to Nagal’s 60% and 55%.

Hopes emerged after the second set, when Nagal fought back to force a decider. He converted two break-point opporunities, but gave away a total of 10 BP’s on his serve, with Zeppieri converting five of them.

On a surface like grass, where holding your serve, and serving out crucial points is key to a player’s success, Nagal’s inexperience and low game-time on the surface cost him.

The 23-year-old from Italy next faces Paul Jubb, as he hopes to repeat his heroics from Paris, where he navigated his way through the qualifiers, to the main draw. As for India’s chances in Wimbledon, that has come to a pre-mature end at the All England Club.

Also Read: Where and how to watch Wimbledon 2025 Qualifying Rounds live?

No signs of improvement in Nagal’s game, and no emerging talents from the country in the singles arena, are concerning signs for the sport’s development in a country which is the most populated in the world. Questions need to be asked about what the concerned federations are doing to address this rapid decline.

The country now looks up to its doubles stars, with veteran Rohan Bopanna leading the charge, in potentially his final appearance at the marquee event. India’s new No. #1 in doubles, Yuki Bhambri, is certainly a player to watch out for. N Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Bolipalli are also expected to make the main draw, making the men’s doubles section a promising one for the country.

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