Sumit Nagal Shocks No. 27 Bublik to Break 35-Year Indian Drought at Australian Open
Sumit Nagal Surprises Tennis World at Australian Open 2024
There are moments in sport that feel bigger than a simple win or loss. For Indian tennis, Sumit Nagal’s performance at the 2024 Australian Open sits right at the top of that list. Not only did he defeat a seeded player, No. 27 Alexander Bublik, but he did so with confidence and poise, shattering a record that had stood since 1989. Before this, no Indian had managed to beat a seeded opponent in a Grand Slam for 35 years. Nagal, ranked world No. 137, pulled off the upset in straight sets—6-4, 6-2, 7(7)-6(5)—in a match that lasted just under two hours and forty minutes. That’s no small feat when you consider the quality and flair Bublik usually brings to the court.
The last time an Indian achieved this? Ramesh Krishnan, back in 1989. Since then, Indian tennis players have slogged on tour without being able to break through that particular barrier. Nagal’s win isn’t just about a result on paper. This run to the second round has instantly turned him into the talk of tennis circles—not just in India but wherever underdog stories steal the spotlight. The fact he overcame Bublik in straight sets sent another message: Nagal is here for more than just a cameo in the grandest arena.
The Journey Back: Injuries, Doubts, and Fighting Spirit
Nagal’s path hasn’t been smooth. Not long ago, the Indian saw his ATP ranking tumble outside the top 600. A string of injuries and relentless mental struggles pushed him to the edge. Imagine putting in years of work, only for injuries to keep you off court and out of form. He’s been open about those dark spells, when even seeing the inside of a main-draw Grand Slam appeared unlikely. But he never quit. Those who followed his journey noticed a shift; he started stringing together wins on the Challenger circuit, grinding his way back up the rankings ladder.
Then, in February 2024, Nagal earned his way back into the ATP Top 100. That kind of comeback is rare. For context, most players don’t recover from multi-year slumps with so much at stake, especially when tennis can often feel like an unforgiving solo grind. But Nagal’s grit paid off, and his momentum headed into Melbourne felt different.
The first-round drama against Bublik was real. Nagal kept his nerve against blistering serves and tricky shot-making. The third set proved nervy, going into a tie-breaker, but Nagal dug deep and outlasted Bublik at every key moment. After sealing match point, he experienced a raw sense of vindication—a release of all those years spent slogging away in training, rehabbing injuries, and staying mentally strong.
It’s also worth noting he joined Somdev Devvarman in the Indian record books—Devvarman was the last Indian to reach the Australian Open’s second round, doing so more than a decade ago in 2013. For fans of Indian tennis, this felt like the dawn of new hope and maybe, just maybe, a sign that there’s more to come.
Sumit Nagal has announced himself as a name to watch, not just for what he did on a single night in Melbourne, but for the journey, the obstacles overcome, and the spark he’s added back to Indian tennis. Now, attention swings to Nagal’s next match—can his remarkable run continue?