India’s number one tennis player Sumit Nagal has less than Rs one lakh in his bank account and a gloomy sensation of not living a decent life after arranging for a Rs one crore sustenance budget to maintain him on the ATP Tour.
He had trained at the Nansel Tennis Academy in Germany for years, but financial restrictions prevented him from training there in the first three months of 2023.
His friends Somdev Devvarman and Christopher Marcuis helped him keep in shape in January and February till he could afford staying in Germany.
Every Indian tennis player struggles financially. But, the fact that the country’s top singles player isn’t saving enough for his family reveals the unforgiving system and cruel Tour where players fight alone.
Nagal has pledged his prize money, IOCL salary, and Maha Tennis Foundation support to play on the ATP Tour.
His stay at the Peine training center and travel with his coach or physiotherapist cost money.
“My bank balance is the same as beginning of year.” It costs 900 euros (Rs 80,000). I got help. Nagal told PTI that Mr. Prashant Sutar helps me with the MAHA Tennis Foundation and that IOCL pays me regularly, but I have no major sponsors.
Nagal uses Yonex and ASICS for shoes, racquets, and clothes.
Nagal earned 65 lakh in 24 tournaments this year, with his biggest pay check coming from the US Open, where he lost in the first round of the Qualifiers but still received USD 22,000 (Rs 18 lakh).
Nagal said, “Traveling with one coach costs Rs. 80 lakh to Rs. 1 crore each month. I had to spend all that I earned. Despite being India’s top player for years, I feel isolated. I am the only player to qualify for Grand Slams and win a tennis match at the Olympics (Tokyo) in the last few years, but my name is not on the TOPS.
“When my ranking dropped after my injury, no one wanted to help me and no one believed I could recover.” Since I feel that nothing I do is insufficient, that was frustrating. In India, financial aid is scarce. I have no idea what to do and have given up.”
A Punjabi Bagh primary school teacher’s son, Nagal, had off-court battles last year after hip surgery and two COVID-19 infections.
It’s no surprise he wondered if he’d play tennis again. Sitting and waiting is hard for athletes.
“Rehab took six months, and playing again took six.” Normalcy returned after a year and a half.
“I felt better mid-summer last year.” I lost matches I should have won, on match-points, when serving, and when I was a set and a break up. Double COVID diagnoses last year made for a rough two years.
“I have no savings.” Just barely breaking even. My life isn’t terrific and I need to work. I’m glad to break even after two years without income. At least I don’t have to leave academy and go alone.” Nagal said his trainers told him to save before returning to Germany.
“I met his coach, Sasha Nansel, and fitness trainer, Milos.” They suggested you accomplish a few things on your own and save as much money as possible in India before we start again in April.
“I travel with one of the two, and this is minimum.” I don’t want a five-star hotel—this is the fundamentals.” Nagal is the top Indian ATP singles player at 159. The next best is Sasikumar Mukund with 407.
The retired Prajnesh Gunneswaran ranks 540, followed by Digvijay Pratap Singh (554), and Ramkumar Ramanathan (569).
Nagal regrets that Indian singles players need financial and coaching support.
“We lack funds and systems.” If a mechanism exists, financing will occur. China is wealthy. China and we have equal potential. What’s up with our 5-6 Olympic medals and China’s 38 gold in Tokyo?
“We are 1.4 billion, we have talent to compete, why don’t we succeed?” No direction. We are far from top tennis players.
“My health is improving. Think I have the game. I think I’m ready for the huge leap if I’m fit and playing in tournaments.”
Conclusion:-
India’s top tennis player Sumit Nagal is struggling financially, having less than Rs one lakh in his bank account and a gloomy sensation of not living a decent life. He has arranged for a Rs one crore sustenance budget to maintain him on the ATP Tour. Nagal has been training at the Nansel Tennis Academy in Germany for years, but financial restrictions prevented him from training there in the first three months of 2023. His friends Somdev Devvarman and Christopher Marcuis helped him keep in shape in January and February until he could afford staying in Germany. Nagal has pledged his prize money, IOCL salary, and Maha Tennis Foundation support to play on the ATP Tour. Traveling with one coach costs Rs. 80 lakh to Rs. 1 crore each month. He has no major sponsors and feels isolated, as he is the only player to qualify for Grand Slams and win a tennis match at the Olympics in the last few years.
