Sumit Nagal, the 25-year-old former India No. 1 tennis player, has received a wild card entry into the singles main draw at the DafaNews Bengaluru Open 2023. This prestigious ATP Challenger event, in its fifth edition, will be held from February 20 to 26, and is organized by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) at the KSLTA Stadium in Bengaluru.
Nagal, who has previously won his maiden ATP Challenger title at this tournament in 2017, is the first wild card entrant. The KSLTA is dedicated to providing Indian players with a top-notch platform to compete alongside the tennis world’s best, and Nagal is expected to capitalize on this opportunity and deliver an exceptional performance.
Sunil Yajaman, the Tournament Director of Bengaluru Open and Joint Secretary of KSLTA, expressed his excitement about awarding Nagal the first wild card. He praised Nagal’s skills and highlighted his past successes at this tournament, believing that Nagal will continue to excel in his career. Yajaman stated his confidence that Nagal will make the most of this opportunity and put on a remarkable show.
Nagal himself expressed his gratitude for the wild card and mentioned that playing at the DafaNews Bengaluru Open is always special to him. He has fond memories and enjoys the energetic audience. Nagal emphasized his excitement for the upcoming tournament and thanked the KSLTA for giving him the chance to compete. He hopes to utilize this opportunity to the fullest.
The singles field at the Bengaluru Open will also showcase other notable players such as former World No. 10 Lucas Pouille and last year’s champion Chun-hsin Tseng, making it an exciting event to look forward to.
In addition, Bengaluru Open has partnered with DafaNews, a leading sports news and analysis portal, as its title sponsor for the next three years. This collaboration aims to promote the growth of tennis in Bengaluru and throughout the country.
The qualifiers for the tournament will take place on February 19 and 20, while the main draw is set to commence on February 20.
