New Delhi: Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal has booked his place at the Tokyo Olympics on the basis of withdrawals in the men’s singles draw. Before Nagal, the Indian women’s pair of Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.
“Yes, he has qualified but we have to look at many things. Due to withdrawals, Sumit Nagal has become eligible this mail we have got, now we will talk to Sumit,” All India Tennis Association (AITA) Secretary-General Anil Dhupar confirmed the development to ANI.
“We are already in the process, will talk to him if it’s possible for him because the notice is very short. If it works for him accordingly, we will respond to the concerned authority,” he added. Nagal was ranked 144 on June 14, when ATP rankings were to be considered for direct entries.
Tennis player @nagalsumit 🎾has qualified for the main draw of the men’s singles event at #Tokyo2020
At 144, he is the highest-ranked Indian player.
Many congratulations!!#Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/afmhne7DRd
— SAIMedia (@Media_SAI) July 16, 2021
Another India, Prajnesh Gunneswaran was ranked 148 and it remains to be seen if he also makes the cut as the deadline for accepting tennis entries is closing later in the evening on July 16. The quota could have gone to Yuki Bhambri, who has a Protected Ranking of 127 but made himself unavailable after undergoing knee surgery recently in the United States.
If Nagal agrees to fly to Tokyo, there is also a chance for India to field a men’s doubles pair along with Rohan Bopanna. Bopanna could not enter the men’s doubles draw with Divij Sharan, who both have a combined rank of 113 and are still the fifth alternate recently.
Nagal is currently in Germany, gearing up for his main draw appearance in the ATP 500 event in Hamburg. Nagal’s entry would also mean that India can now have a team in the mixed doubles draw as well.
