Sumit Nagal sparks row over Davis Cup picture, slams AITA officials

Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal has taken to social media to express his discontent with the All India Tennis Association (AITA) officials after a photograph surfaced ahead of India’s Davis Cup tie against Sweden.

The image, taken with Rakesh Tiwari, Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy in Stockholm, showed Indian Davis Cup officials prominently positioned at the front, while the players were relegated to the back. Nagal was quick to voice his dissatisfaction, tweeting, “Maybe it’s time to get players in the front row as well?”

Maybe it’s time to get players in the front row as well? https://t.co/pl0h5D0cig

— Sumit Nagal (@nagalsumit) September 12, 2024

Sumit Nagal absent from Davis Cup line-up vs Sweden

India’s Davis Cup team is preparing for its World Group I clash with Sweden from September 14 to 15, but Nagal, along with Yuki Bhambri, will not be part of the line-up.

Sumit Nagal’s absence comes despite his standing as one of India’s top players, which has left many questioning the team’s chances in the crucial tie. Nevertheless, the Indian squad remains hopeful of securing their first victory against Sweden, though the odds seem balanced due to the absence of key players.

Team dynamics without Top players

With Sumit Nagal and Yuki Bhambri missing, India faces a daunting challenge in the tie. Sweden, playing on home turf at the Royal Tennis Hall, will be a tough opponent, despite not having a particularly intimidating line-up. India, on the other hand, would have preferred a faster court, considering the strength of their players in serving.

Ramkumar Ramanathan will be India’s key player, particularly in the singles, while the team is still weighing options for the second singles slot. Choices include Niki Poonacha, N Sriram Balaji, and former national champion Siddharth Vishwakarma. Poonacha, however, remains uncertain after suffering an ankle injury during practice.

Captain Rohit Rajpal strategy

Indian team captain Rohit Rajpal acknowledged that the tie could have been tilted in India’s favour had Nagal and Bhambri been available. Now, the contest looks more evenly matched, with Rajpal expressing concerns about Sweden’s deceptive rankings. Despite the lower rankings of Sweden’s players, including Elias Ymer and Leo Borg, Rajpal noted that they are competitive and cannot be underestimated.

Rajpal also highlighted the challenges of limited options, with many of India’s players focusing on doubles in professional tennis. He remains optimistic about younger players like Aryan Shah and Manas Dhamne, describing them as the future of Indian tennis.

Big Opportunity for Ramkumar Ramanathan

Ramkumar Ramanathan’s experience in both Davis Cup matches and on the ATP Tour makes him India’s best hope for victory in the singles matches. Ramkumar has previously beaten Elias Ymer, Sweden’s top-ranked singles player, and will need to stay composed in high-pressure situations to deliver a win for India.

The doubles match will be led by Balaji, who will team up with either Ramkumar or Poonacha, depending on the outcome of the first day’s singles matches. Balaji, who has performed well in previous ties, is expected to play a crucial role in keeping India’s hopes alive.

High stakes for both teams: India vs Sweden

With both teams having much at stake, the winner of the tie will advance to next year’s Qualifiers, while the loser will have to fight for survival in the World Group I play-offs. India’s chances of beating Sweden, which has never been done before, appear slim without its top players, but Rajpal and his team remain determined to give their best effort.

As the Indian Davis Cup team prepares to face Sweden, the focus will not only be on the players but also on the management, with Nagal’s pointed criticism adding an extra layer of tension ahead of this important tie.