When Virat Kohli's Support Rescued Olympic Tennis Star Sumit Nagal

image-lrgbwy7wSumit Nagal and Virat Kohli | Source: X.com

India’s Tennis star, Sumit Nagal scripted history at the Australian Open, becoming the first Indian in 11 years to progress to the second round with a dominant straight-sets victory over 31st-seeded Alexander Bublik. 

However, it would not have been possible for Sumit Nagal to reach where he is today without the support of the Indian batting giant, Virat Kohli, who provided massive financial help during his toughest times. 

During an interview in 2019, Sumit Nagal revealed that he received help from Virat Kohli and his foundation when he had just six dollars in his pocket while travelling from Canada to Germany.  


Sumit Nagal on Kohli's financial aid 

“Virat Kohli's foundation has been supporting me since 2017. I haven't been performing well for the last two years and was facing a financial crisis. If I didn't have Virat Kohli supporting me, I don't know what I would have done." 

"Early this year, when I was flying from Canada to Germany after a tournament, I had six dollars in my wallet, just six dollars after the help that I have been getting, so imagine what a mess I must have been before. But I survived, and things are getting better. If people fund athletes, it will only help the sport flourish in the country. I am fortunate to get that support from Virat."

Nagal has previously qualified for the main draw of the US Open in both 2019 and 2020. In the 2019 US Open, he challenged the legendary Roger Federer, pushing the match to four sets before ultimately losing 6-4, 1-6, 2-6, 4-6. 

The very next year, the Indian tennis star advanced to the second round of the US Open, defeating Bradley Klahn in the first round with a score of 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.