'I fell in love with clay,' Not just an almost namesake, Sumit Nagal bears this striking similarity with King of Clay, Rafael Nadal

It’s my childhood. When I was young, I started playing tennis on clay when I was 8, 9 years old. I didn’t get much clay when I moved to Canada, but I have been living in Germany for the past 10 years. Somehow, I fell in love with clay, I move well, it gives me extra confidence and I feel like clay gives me that.

Sumit Nagal told Tennis Channel

Nagal is also the only third player who made it to the main draw of the Monte-Carlo Open after Vijay Amritraj and Ramesh Krishnan. He qualified for the main draw after beating Flavio Cobolli and Facundo Diaz Acosta in the qualifiers.

Sumit Nagal will next play Holger Rune at the Monte Carlos Masters R2

Sumit Nagal is playing only his second ATP Masters 1000 event. He got the chance to feature in Indian Wells this season after Rafael Nadal withdrew his name due to injury.

Though Nagal progressed into the second round, it’s going to be tough for the Indian to go past Holger Rune. The Dane was a finalist at this tournament last season losing to Andrey Rublev, and has given tough competition to his opponents on the surface.

During that same interview with Tennis Channel, Nagal said he now wants to enjoy his campaign in the tournament. He praised Rune for being in the top 10 in the rankings.

To be honest, I will try to enjoy the match. I am playing well, my body is feeling alright. So, you get on the court, you hit some balls. Everyone knows he is a very good tennis player, being in the top 10 for the past few years, a runner-up here. So, it’s about enjoying the competition, enjoying the match in front of such wonderful people. Sumit Nagal said

The second-round match will be their second encounter. They previously met at the Davis Cup which the Dane won in straight sets 7-5, 6-3.