Whereas 2024 was one other powerful 12 months for Indian tennis by way of outcomes, there have been a couple of moments that stood out and stored hopes of a brighter future alive – Rohan Bopanna’s title-winning run on the Australian Open making him oldest first-time World No. 1 in males’s doubles, and Sumit Nagal’s entry into ATP Prime 100.
Bopanna’s Australian Open glory
After 19 totally different companions and 61 makes an attempt, Bopanna lastly received the lads’s doubles Grand Slam title he had been chasing ever since he made his ATP Tour debut in doubles 22 years in the past in Chennai.
Bopanna and his Australian companion Matthew Ebden beat Italy’s Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6(0), 7-5 on the Rod Laver Area in Melbourne to clinch the Australian Open.
The achievement additionally made Bopanna the oldest first-time males’s doubles World No. 1 and the oldest man ever to win a Main within the Open period.
He was additionally chosen for the Padma Shri award, the fourth highest civilian honour.
Sumit Nagal makes Prime 100 debut
India’s Sumit Nagal made his ATP Prime 100 debut after successful the Chennai Open ATP Challenger this 12 months.
| Picture Credit score:
B JOTHI RAMALINGAM
India’s Sumit Nagal made his ATP Prime 100 debut after successful the Chennai Open ATP Challenger this 12 months.
| Picture Credit score:
B JOTHI RAMALINGAM
Ranked 121 in the beginning of the Chennai Open ATP Challenger, Nagal went all the way in which to ensure himself Prime 100 debut within the ATP Rankings. Nagal turned the primary Indian since Prajnesh Gunneswaran in 2019 to interrupt the Prime 100 barrier as he defeated Italy’s Luca Nardi 6-1, 6-4 within the closing for his fifth title on the ATP Challenger Tour.
Nagal additionally performed the principle draw in any respect 4 Majors in addition to the Paris Olympics.