India’s Tennis Star Sumit Nagal Credits Virat Kohli for Support During Financial Crisis and Recent Historic Win

Cricket heroes are everywhere. In the sports world, new heroes are in the making. Recently, India’s Tennis star Sumit Nagpal created history. He became the first player from India to defeat a player in the Australian Open in 1989. He defeated Alexander Bublik in the opening round. After creating the record, Naggpal talked about Virat Kohli’s contribution to his career. 

Nagpal’s Record:

In a groundbreaking moment on January 16, Indian tennis sensation Sumit Nagal made history at the Australian Open. The 26-year-old achieved a milestone by becoming the first player from India to conquer a seeded opponent since 1989. Nagal's impressive victory unfolded in the opening round, where he defeated Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik with a remarkable scoreline of 6-4, 6-2, 7-6. This triumph propels Nagal into the second round, marking a historic chapter in his tennis journey. 

This triumph is a significant turnaround from his 2021 defeat to Ricardas Berankis. The 26-year-old, currently ranked 139 globally, is no stranger to Grand Slam challenges. Nagal showcased his prowess by reaching the second round at the 2020 US Open, though facing a tough loss against the formidable second seed, Dominic Thiem.

Virat Kohli’s Influence on His Career:

Sumit Nagal shares a unique bond with cricket icon Virat Kohli, who has been a pillar of support since 2017. In light of Nagal's recent historic win, an old interview has reemerged, showcasing his gratitude towards the former Indian captain. In the interview, Nagal expressed his thanks to Kohli for standing by him during a challenging financial period.  

While sharing the story behind his success, he said, “Virat Kohli's foundation has been supporting me since 2017. I haven't been performing well for the last two years and was facing a financial crisis. If I didn't have Virat Kohli supporting me, I don't know what I would have done.”

Later he added, “Early this year (in 2019), when I was flying from Canada to Germany after a tournament, I had six dollars in my wallet... just six dollars after the help that I have been getting, so imagine what a mess I must have been before. But I survived, and things are getting better. If people fund athletes, it will only help the sport flourish in the country. I am fortunate to get that support from Virat.”

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