India’s top-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal was denied a wildcard entry into the 2024 Australian Open after the All India Tennis Association (AITA) refused to send his nomination, according to the Hindustan Times.
The development comes after Nagal had pulled out of next year’s Davis Cup tie against Pakistan.
“Anil Dhupar [AITA secretary general] had called me and said he won't send the nomination since I said no to the Davis Cup," Nagal said on Monday. “To be honest, getting this call from him and hearing him say this was a bummer. I really hope things will get better in future or else tennis is going to die even faster in India.”
Last month, Nagal, along with Mukund Sasikumar, withdrew from India's Davis Cup tie against Pakistan which is set to take place in Islamabad in February 2024.
“One cannot expect to pull out of a Davis Cup assignment for the country and then expect something in return from the federation. Why should we send anything from our end to nominate him? AITA had to take a stand against such things at some point,” Dhupar said.
Nagal, who featured in India's Davis Cup World Group II home clash against Morocco in Lucknow in September and won both his singles matches in the 3-1 victory, also opened up about his decision to not tour Pakistan.
“My opting out for Davis Cup was majorly because of it being played on grass,” Nagal said. “It is really sad to see this decision coming after looking at my performance in Lucknow and securing the win for the country. I have missed Wimbledon for the same reasons as well in the past.”
Nagal started the year ranked outside the top 500 to currently being 138.
No Indian singles player since Nagal, 2021 Australian Open, has participated in the main draw of a Grand Slam. He also became the first Indian male to win a main draw Slam singles match, since Somdev Devvarman in 2013, at the 2020 US Open.
Nagal will have to take part in the qualifying rounds in Melbourne next month for an entry into the 2024 Australian Open main draw.
