For the last decade or so, the India tennis scene has been on a decline, at least in the singles. We’ve had a the likes of Yuki Bhambri and Somdev Devvarman in this period, but that was just not enough for the sport to grow in the country. Now there’s Sumit Nagal, who’s fresh from a first round with at the Australian Open, but what about the others.
Addressing this very issue after his win over Alexander Bublik on Tuesday, Sumit did not mince his words and said that he wants to change the tennis system in the country. On being asked to elaborate, Sumit said, “If you look at it, there was a time where we had a lot of singles players playing in the slams.
“I feel like we are missing quite a bit in the last few years, & my goal is to change that in the next years, when I stop tennis, whenever I stop tennis, I hope I can put an impact on the country where we can change the system & have people playing in the singles draw as well.”
And it’s no rocket science to develop the sport in the country, that has seen the rise of badminton, wrestling and shooting in the last few years. Sumit said, “First to have more tournaments in the country, bring coaches in, better facilities. Just a better system, I would say.
“Why are all tennis players – singles I’m talking about – going outside India & living outside India to give themselves a chance? We should ask why. Like I said, of course, we can sit here all day & talk about it. But in a simple word I will just say it’s change the system. That’s it.”
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