Sumit Nagal Climbs to Career-High ATP Ranking of 68

Olympic-bound Sumit Nagal has reached a significant milestone in his tennis career, ascending to a career-high ATP singles ranking of 68. The 26-year-old Indian tennis star rose five spots in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday, surpassing his previous best ranking of 71. This achievement positions Nagal as the fourth highest-ranked Indian male player since 1973, following in the footsteps of Vijay Amritraj (ranked 18th in 1980), Somdev Devvarman (ranked 62nd in 2011) and Ramesh Krishnan (ranked 23rd in 1985) .

Recent Performance Fuels Rise

Nagal’s impressive performance in recent tournaments has been instrumental in his ranking climb and qualification for the singles event at the Paris Olympics. He has accumulated 779 ATP points, solidifying his status as India’s top singles player.

A Promising Year

The year began on a high note for Nagal with a victory over Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, the 31st seed, at the Australian Open. He also competed in the French Open and Wimbledon, demonstrating consistent form throughout the season.

Titles and Triumphs

Nagal secured the men’s singles title at the Heilbronn Neckarcup 2024 Challenger event in Germany earlier this month, adding to his earlier victory at the Chennai Open in February. These wins have contributed to his rise in the ATP rankings and boosted his confidence ahead of the Paris Olympics.

Dominance on Clay

Nagal has proven his prowess on clay courts, winning four ATP Challenger titles since 2023, with Heilbronn marking his fourth title on this surface. His strong performance on clay will be an asset as he prepares for the Olympic Games, where he will be the sole Indian representative in the men’s singles event.