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Indian tennis ace Sumit Nagal issued a clarification after the All India Tennis Association (AITA) accused the player for not playing for India in the Davis Cup tie against Sweden. The AITA had raised concerns about the chances of Nagal skipping the Davis Cup time. Nagal claimed that he missed the tie due to his injury, but he is now set to compete in an ATP tournament, set to be organised in China. Talking about the tie against Sweden, India lost the clash 0-4.
The AITA secretary, Anil Dhupar alleged that the reason behind India’s loss was the absence of notable players including Sumit Nagal and Yuki Bhambri. The Indian tennis body also claimed that Nagal had demanded an annual fee of USD 50,000 to play the ties.
Sumit Nagal issues clarification after AITA criticises the player
Nagal defended himself and stated that he missed the ties due to his injury. He said that it was difficult for him to withdraw from the Davis Cup tie but took the decision after consulting with the medical team. On his X, Nagal wrote, “Representing my country is always a privilege and an honor that I hold in the highest regard. One of the highlights of my career was being able to represent India at the Olympics. It was a difficult decision to withdraw from the Davis Cup, as playing for the national team is a moment I deeply cherish.”
He added, “However, after consulting the medical team, it became clear that competing while carrying an injury could not only jeopardize my health but also adversely impact the team’s chances.” About the accusations of demanding fees, Nagal said, “Regarding compensation, I want to clarify that it is standard practice in professional sports for athletes to be compensated for their participation in events, even when representing their country. This is not about personal gain. My discussions with AITA and the Davis Cup Captain are confidential and I would not like to indulge in any speculation about this.”
