LONDON: Results may or may not be a case for Sumit Nagal at the 2024 Wimbledon tennis championships. This outing is about an evolving relationship -- a tricky surface, an address that’s built on the foundation of tradition, and a city where the 26-year-old has a connection.
At a venue where he has history, having triumphed in the boys’ doubles here nine years ago, the India No.1 is looking to write his transition story. From boy to man.
Nagal will step out on a match court at SW19 for the first time in six years when he takes on Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic in the first-round late on Monday. The grass looks greener this time round.
Nagal, who thrives on clay, said, grass is a ‘different type of physical’. A beast.
“On clay you can slide,” he said, speaking to TOI on Media Day. “If you slide on grass, you can roll over your ankle or even tear your groin. On clay rallies are longer, on grass rallies are shorter, but your legs are active all the time, you have to stay low and your base has to be solid and big.”
“One of my strengths is court coverage and if I can use that strength well, I can have the upper hand,” said Nagal sporting a duck egg blue tee. “I believe I can do well on grass, if I can get used to the movement, I can be good.”
Nagal’s best result in the juniors came at Wimbledon – on his least favorite surface, and in doubles, even though singles is what he enjoys playing. This time the Indian will also feature in the doubles draw, where he’ll play alongside Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic.
“The grass is slower on the Championship courts and I’m enjoying playing on it. I’m excited,” Nagal said. “When you feel that way, anything is possible.”
Nagal, who is ranked 72, and Kecmanovic, the world No. 53, have met once in the pros.
The 24-year-old came out on top in that meeting, four years ago on hardcourt. Kecmanovic, who has a career-high ranking of 27 achieved last January, has played five tie-break sets in his two grass-court outings this season – Halle and ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
Nagal, who motored on uncommon courage in sealing an Olympic slot in the last week, arrived in London early and practiced on the grass.
“We have known each other for a while, since our junior days. We are friends,” he said of Kecmanovic. “We played a few times, practiced a few times. He knows my game and I know his. It’s going to be a battle.”
