Indian tennis' rising star Sumit Nagal to be supported by JSW

JSW, under their Sports Excellence Program (SEP) today announced their support to Wimbledon Junior Champion, Sumit Nagal. The 18-year-old Nagal is the first tennis player to be supported under the SEP which currently backs 39 athletes over five disciplines, namely; athletics, judo, wrestling, boxing and swimming.

Sumit became only the sixth Indian to win a Junior Grand Slam title when he bagged the doubles crown at the Wimbledon Junior with his Vietnamese partner Nam Hoang Ly in July this year. Earlier in 2015, Sumit had reached the third round of the Australian Open Junior in early 2015 before making it to the second round of the French Open Junior. Post his Wimbledon triumph, Sumit has been steadily raking in titles, having  won four ITF USD 10,000 Futures titles. He won the singles titles at Hyderabad, Chennai and Madurai. He also claimed the doubles title in Madurai last week. 

He currently trains in Germany and is coached by Argentine, Mariano Delfino. Sumit is ranked at the 52nd spot in the ITF Juniors. 

Thankful for the support extended by JSW, Sumit said that the backing he has received came at a very crucial time in his young career.  “This support ensures that I can completely focus on my tennis. All that I need to think about now is how to be a better player on the court,” he said. 

Parth Jindal, Director JSW Sports, said that the Group’s support of Sumit further proves its resolve towards promoting and nurturing India’s top sporting talent. “Sumit is one of the most exciting names in Indian tennis. His win at the Wimbledon Juniors has demonstrated that he has it in him to succeed at the international level. We are confident that with our support, Sumit will develop in a comprehensive manner and continue to succeed on the international stage,” he said. 

Discovered by multiple Grand Slam winner Mahesh Bhupathi, Sumit spent his formative years training at Bhupathi’s academy in Bangalore. “Sumit is a very exciting player and someone who is very hungry to succeed on the big stage. He is very sincere and I am sure that JSW’s support will motivate him towards aiming for bigger honours”, said Bhupathi.