Rohan Bopanna
Indian tennis player SumitNagal made it to the men’s singles event of the Tokyo Olympics as a massive number of players withdrew and pushed him inside the qualification bar. The All-India Tennis Association (AITA) wasted no time and paired him with none other than Rohan Bopanna for the men’s double contest by pulling out Divij Sharan’s selection.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) conveyed to the AITA that Nagal qualified for men’s singles hours before the cut-off time for participation terminates. Nagal was at 144 positions on June 14, when ATP rankings were checked for direct entry. Till Thursday, the cut-off was 130 as Yuki Bhambri, with his position of number 127, managed to mark the cut.
The player recently went through a medical procedure on his right knee in the US; he has made himself inaccessible and affirmed it to the media. The strict conventions under which the Games are being held and the dread of getting the Covid have pushed numerous to pull out, compelling the specialists to continue to bring down the cut-off mark.
Prajnesh Gunneswaran was positioned 148 on June 14, and it is not yet evident if he can reach the cut by 8:30 pm IST. “ITF has affirmed Nagal’s participation for singles. We approached him, and he confirmed his entry. According to the latest reports from Anil Dhupar, AITA’s secretary-general has moved toward IOA and mentioned to mastermind his accreditation.
Sumit Nagal took to his Twitter handle and expressed his happiness after making it to Tokyo Olympics. The 23-year-old player said that he has no words to express his feelings. A dreamlike inclination to fit the bill for the Tokyo Olympics. Thankful to all your help and wishes, he added.
Since the ITF is offering feasibility to singles players to make it to the men’s doubles, AITA sniffed an opportunity to get a spot by handling Nagal with Bopanna, who was prior nominated with Divij Sharan. With a consolidated position of 113, Bopanna and Sharan will make the fourth competing team until Friday morning.
Dhupar added that they have removed Divij Sharan’s name and sent another group to ITF. Let’ check whether Bopanna and Nagal can enter,” he said. It is known that Rohan Bopanna has made it to the men’s double since it is profoundly improbable that Nagal and Sania Mirza would make it to the mixed doubles, which is a 16-group undertaking.
The ITF, as of now, has not affirmed if Bopanna and Nagal can enter the men’s doubles. They are not in a position to say anything about men’s doubles. Gunneswaran is as yet a couple of spots away from the cutoff; an ITF official told media.
Just Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina are sure to contend in the ladies’ double event. Sania took advantage of her ninth rank to enter with Ankita. All leading ten players get immediate passage and have the advantage to pick a partner who is positioned inside top-300.