Now Reading: Sumit Nagal enters US Open 2026 qualifiers after Draper withdrawal
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Sumit Nagal enters US Open 2026 qualifiers after Draper withdrawal
India's top-ranked tennis player Sumit Nagal will compete in the US Open 2026 qualifiers after earning a spot following Jack Draper's withdrawal. This marks Nagal's return to Grand Slam action after missing…
India's top-ranked tennis player Sumit Nagal will compete in the US Open 2026 qualifiers after earning a spot following Jack Draper's withdrawal. This marks Nagal's return to Grand Slam action after missing four consecutive majors, his last appearance being the 2025 Wimbledon qualifiers.
Nagal has a 2-6 win-loss record in Grand Slam matches but showed his potential at the 2024 Australian Open by defeating then-31st seed Alexander Bublik. He is primarily a clay-court player and will face the challenge of hard courts in New York. The US Open qualifiers begin on August 24.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the main draw due to a right knee injury, saying he needs more time to recover. Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed his participation.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Nagal's path to the main draw is tough: the US Open qualifiers feature 128 players competing for 16 spots, with each match a best-of-three-set battle on hard courts where he has historically struggled. His career-high ranking of 68 came in 2024, and he currently hovers around 140, meaning he will likely be unseeded in qualifying. A win in the first qualifying round would earn him about Rs 10 lakh, while reaching the main draw guarantees at least Rs 30 lakh. The real prize is the ranking points needed to re-enter the top 100 and gain direct entry into future majors. Watch for his first qualifying match on August 24-25.
Tennis fans should also track whether the All India Tennis Association announces any support for Nagal's training on hard courts before New York.
Source: timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
