Court-ing success

Sumit Nagal has entered the history books as the sixth Indian to win a Grand Slam junior title, after winning the boys doubles trophy at the recent Wimbledon championships. The 17-year-old says that he had never imagined that he would do something like this. “I come from a humble background. My dad is a teacher in a government school and my mother is a housewife. I have a sister who is married now and is also a teacher. I started this sport when I was around eight years old. I wanted to play cricket, but my dad did not like it and told me to look around the sports complex and pick another sport. That’s the first time I saw people playing tennis and that’s how it all began,” he shares. Sumit has joined forces with Leander Paes and Sania Mirza to make this India’s best ever Wimbledon campaign.

As the young player recounts his early days, he recalls his parents’ struggle to support him. “The beginning is always rough and my parents sacrificed a lot for me. I left home when I was 10,” he reveals, adding, “I used to wake up early in the morning at around 5.30 just so I could get some time for fitness training before school. I practiced regardless of holidays or festivals, heat or cold. My dad went everywhere with me and made sure that I got to places on time. My mother would accompany me to tournaments and training sessions in buses. We would walk nearly 1.5 km to the nearest bus stop. She also took me for my first trial.”

Nagal was spotted by veteran Mahesh Bhupathi during a camp at RK Khanna Tennis stadium. Sumit, who has a booming forehand, does not forget to mention the role Bhupathi has played in his fledgling career. Crediting his success to the latter’s guidance he says, “My family would never have been able to fund my training and travels. Sponsorship was a problem and I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for Bhupathi sir.

He entered my life in December 2007 in Delhi, when I got picked up in the Apollo Tyres selection. When they withdrew sponsorship in 2010 and players had to pay for training themselves, it was impossible for my middle class family to bear such expenses. Bhupathi sir came forward to help me and worked hard on the court too. That’s when everything started blooming. He changed my life. I am very lucky to have him in my team.” Ever since then, Sumit has spent little time in India, criss-crossing between Toronto and Frankfurt, training and honing his skills.

The young player and his eighth seed Vietnamese partner Nam Hoang Ly beat fourth seeds Reilly Opelka and Akira Santillan 7-6(4) 6-4 in the title clash. So, what was going on in his mind during the final? “I was just thinking who would get to hold the cup. I was thinking — are we going to kiss it or not?” he says. And what happened when they actually won the title? “We just dropped our rackets and hugged each other tightly. I was so happy that nothing came to my mind for a few minutes. When I held the trophy, I was just imagining how proud and happy my parents would be at that moment. Also, nothing beats the feeling of playing for India.”

Outside the court, Sumit is quite active on Instagram and is particularly fond of his Ducati. He laughs, “I love bikes and cars. I am pretty crazy about them. I hope one day I’m able to own lots of them.” Ask him what he’d like to do in life other than tennis and he replies, “If I get a chance I would like to be a part of Bollywood and go to Comedy Nights with Kapil at least once!” About his favourite players on the tennis circuit, he shares, “I like Rafael Nadal. I like his attitude, hunger and humility. He never stops, no matter what. It really motivates me.”

All of 17, the teenager now aims to transition full-time to the professional circuit and says that his goal is to be ranked high enough to play the qualifying draw of the French Open. “My main focus is on singles. My goal is to be in the top 300 by the end of this year, and I  want to be the best from Asia one day,” he affirms.