Sumit Nagal wins Heilbronner Neckarcup, set to qualify for Paris Olympics

Indian tennis sensation Sumit Nagal has secured his ticket to the Paris Olympics after winning the Heilbronner Neckarcup, with the qualification for the Games being announced on Monday.

Nagal defeated Switzerland's world number 184 Alexander Ritschard 6-1, 6-7, 6-3 to clinch the title at the ATP 100 Heilbronn Challenger which will propel him to the Olympics.

This win marked Nagal's sixth career ATP Challenger title, his fourth on clay, and his second of the year. As a result, he will rise to a career-high ATP ranking of 77.

The 2024 Paris Olympics will feature 64 players in the men’s singles who will compete for the ultimate title. Nagal remained the only Indian in the running for a direct qualification spot.

The automatic qualification list for tennis will be released on Monday, June 10, with the top 56 players in the ATP rankings set to qualify for the prestigious global tournament. However, there is a limit of four players per country, helping Nagal to qualify for the Games.

The remaining eight of the 64 spots will be filled by players through continental quotas, universality places, and spots for previous gold medalists and Grand Slam winners. Nagal, ranked 88th on the live ranking list, has jumped 11 spots to reach the 77th position after his win on Sunday. Had he lost, his ranking would have remained at 88.

According to the rule limiting each country to a maximum of four players, Nagal's victory in the ATP Challenger final has promoted him to the 56th spot in the Olympic ranking list, securing him a direct quota for the Paris Olympics.