Competing in the southern Italian port city of Taranto for the 1st time in his career at last week’s inaugural Taranto Tennis Cup (ATP Challenger 50), Sumit Nagal (IND, 265) put together a singles quarterfinal run on the outdoor hard courts of the Magna Grecia Tennis Center before climbing 12 spots to 253 on November 9. Speaking on site during the tournament week, the 29-year-old reflected on his 1st trip back to the deep south of Italy since qualifying as an 18-year-old in Caltanissetta 10 years ago, Puglia’s rapid 5-minute weather swings between sunshine and cold wind, and why reuniting with familiar Italian tournament staff exceeded his expectations.
Marks Nagal’s 1st trip back to southern Italy since June 2016, when he qualified for the main draw of the Città di Caltanissetta Challenger at age 18.
Navigated brisk November coastal shifts in Taranto where bright Mediterranean sun turned very cold within 5 minutes before warming up again.
Defeated Georgii Kravchenko (UKR, 310) and Hugo Grenier (FRA, 394) in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals and move up to 253 on November 9.
“I wasn’t expecting this, because I maybe had a different mindset before coming here. But the club is nice, nice people around. I know a lot of people that are working in the tournament, so it is not seeing them for the 1st time. It feels like they are really doing their best to help all the players.”
On Returning to Southern Italy After 10 Years, 5-Minute Weather Shifts, and Reuniting With Familiar Italian Staff
On competing in Taranto for the 1st time, returning to the deep south of Italy 10 years after his 2016 Caltanissetta Challenger appearance, and adjusting to Puglia’s shifting November weather.
Sumit Nagal (IND, 265)It is my 1st time in Taranto. I like Italy — I have played a lot in Italy. It is a little bit far from where usually I play the tournaments, but it is a nice experience, you know. The last time I was somewhat here was maybe 10 years ago in Caltanissetta, you know, a very small place. I remember I had a beautiful time as well, and I am enjoying this.
The weather can be a little bit funny sometimes — there is sun, and in 5 minutes it is very cold, then sun again! But other than that, it is a nice experience to be here.
On how the inaugural Taranto Tennis Cup and the Magna Grecia Tennis Center compared with his expectations before arriving, and seeing familiar faces on the organizing team.
Sumit Nagal (IND, 265)I wasn’t expecting this, because, you know, I maybe had a different mindset before coming here. But the club is nice, you know, nice people around. I know a lot of people that are working in the tournament, so it is not seeing them for the 1st time. It feels like, you know, they are really doing their best to help all the players.
While Nagal has competed regularly across central and northern Italian Challenger stops over the past decade, his reference to Caltanissetta dates back to June 2016, when an 18-year-old Nagal won 3 qualifying matches in Sicily to reach the Città di Caltanissetta main draw. Returning to southern Italy 10 years later for the inaugural hard-court stop in Taranto, Nagal posted back-to-back straight-set wins over Georgii Kravchenko (UKR, 310) and Hugo Grenier (FRA, 394) before bowing out in a 3-set deciding tiebreak battle in the quarterfinals.
| Round | Match | Score | Match Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| QF | Kilian Feldbausch (SUI, 262) d. Sumit Nagal (IND, 265) | 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(4) | Forced a deciding 3rd-set tiebreak after capturing a tight 7-5 2nd set |
| R16 | Sumit Nagal (IND, 265) d. Hugo Grenier (FRA, 394) | 6-3, 6-2 | Dropped just 5 games across 2 sets against the former world number 95 |
| R32 | Sumit Nagal (IND, 265) d. Georgii Kravchenko (UKR, 310) | 7-6(4), 6-2 | Edged a 7-4 opening-set tiebreak before rolling through the 2nd set 6-2 |