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Two schools of thoughts on Twitter after Sumit Nagal's promising show against Roger Federer
While it’s an achievement in itself for the to steal a set from the Swiss maestro, the Indian Twitteratti remained divided on Sumit’s acomplishment.
Sumit Nagal scripted history by qualifying for the main draw of the US Open, becoming the youngest Indian in 25 years to achieve the feat. And he commemorated it in style clinching the first set against Roger Federer.
While it’s an achievement in itself to steal a set from the Swiss maestro, the Indian Twitteratti remained divided on Sumit’s accomplishment. There were two schools of thoughts -- one which felt that Sumit’s feat is a magnanimous achievement and that a grand slam win for an Indian isn’t a far-fetched dream while the other half contradicted it.
World number 190 Nagal, who has never earned a tour-level victory, came out swinging and even put a rare look of incredulity on the faces of those inside Federer's box. The 22-year-old Indian used impressive court coverage and sent heavily-spinning shots over the net during his dream start. However, Roger Federer made amends for his slow start and weathered the early storm from Sumit Nagal to register a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 win.
In the aftermath of the match, renowned writer Chetan Bhagat took to Twitter to express how Indian tennis is on the rise. Soon enough, he started receiving flak as the Tweeple opined that the golden era of Indian tennis was back in the 70s and 80s highlighting instances of Vijay Amritraj and Ramesh Krishnan.
Vijay Amritraj knocked out Bjorn borg from the 1974 U.S open and has defeated heavyweights of his generation like like Rod Laver, Jimmy Conners, McEnroe & Lendl while Ramesh Krishnan was the last Indian to reach a Grand slam quarters in 1987.
Replying to the thread, India's first Olympics medallist Abhinav Bindra highlighted that Sumit's performance is a testament to India's rich pool of talent. However, effort needs to be put in to cultivate tennis players at the grassroots level for greater success.
Former Indian tennis star Somdev Devvarman also added. To put things into perspective, Somdev emphasised that World no 8 Japan's Kei Nishikori, the best-ranked shuttler from Asia is yet to win a grand slam.
Despite all speculations, it still cannot be denied that Sumit's performance was a silver lining and a predicament of the future of Indian tennis.
