Seoul, India’s top-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal has endured an injury-hit and frustrating 2026 season but says he has learned to stop “playing the victim” and is now focused on enjoying his tennis and competing without the burden of constantly chasing results.
“I lost a match in Prague and I was driving back. Nagal, who is now ranked 247 after dropping out of top-100 in January 2025, began the year carrying a hip injury sustained while playing a Challenger in Thailand before the Davis Cup tie against Netherlands in February, and admitted that his desire to represent India forced him to return to action earlier than he otherwise would have. He had lost 3-6 5-7 to local player Jan Kumsat.
And that’s when I realised, I said, man, like this is just not fun. I’m not going to survive like this if I keep putting pressure on myself that every match I step on, I need to win, win, win,” Nagal said.
A defeat in Prague Challenger last month, just before the US Open, proved to be a turning point.
Because it was Davis Cup and Team India,” Nagal told PTI in an interview ahead of the Qualifier Round 2 tie against Korea, i came in early to play. “I started the year with an injury, then played Davis Cup . I was always running behind time. “If it wasn’t for the Davis Cup, I would have taken the whole month off. “My last match in the US Open was a little bit unfortunate. I had a few break points and the guy ended up making the fourth round. “At the end of the day, it’s still a team sport. It shouldn’t be one guy leading the team. Of course, my help is there. I always want Indian tennis to do well. Never a question.”
So I feel like it’s there, it’s just I need to work hard for it to go in my favour,” he said. I’ve always said it.
