Sumit Nagal criticises Indian tennis for its failure to develop singles players | Australian Open 2024

Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal said he is "enjoying the moment" after his stunning upset of Alexander Bublik in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.

The win was Nagal's first career victory at an Australian Open and made him the first Indian male singles player to defeat a seeded player in a Grand Slam since 1989.

Ramesh Krishnan was the last Indian singles player to beat a seeded opponent at a Major when he stunned top seed and defending champion Mats Wilander in the second round of the 1989 Australian Open.

Sumit also criticised Indian tennis for its failure to develop men's singles players.

When asked what needed to change with Indian tennis to start to develop more men's singles players, Sumit said, "A lot of things. 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 and living outside India to give themselves a chance? We should ask why. Like I said, of course, we can sit here all day and talk about it, but in a simple word I will just say it's change the system. That's it."