\'I had thoughts of giving up\': Sumit Nagal reflects back on his tennis career
Deccan ChronicleMumbai: From wanting to quit tennis a decade ago to making a dream Grand Slam debut against Roger Federer at the U.S. Open last month, Sumit Nagal calls himself a “survivor” and the Indian is hopeful his journey will become less arduous going forward. Nagal ultimately went down 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 to the owner of 20 Grand Slam singles titles but not before breaking Federer’s serve three times in a tie he was praying would be his from the moment he heard the Swiss had been drawn against a qualifier. I was happy but I wasn’t happy the way I played, I think I could have done better but overall I was satisfied.” After the match Federer predicted a “very solid career” for his opponent, who has never earned a tour-level victory, and said Nagal’s game was tailor-made for clay courts. “He does not want to give you any points, you have to work for it.” Nagal showed a similar stomach for a fight against Federer, earning four of his 13 break point opportunities in the final game as the Swiss served for the match in the fourth set.