Nagal sets sight on a fresh start following best year on tour yet

Indian's season included making 2nd round of a Slam, finishing in top 100 and training with world No.6 Ruud

- Shahid Judge

Sumit Nagal has had some elite company in his recent training sessions. On the blue courts in Abu Dhabi, Nagal had a hitting partner in world No.6 Casper Ruud. This all comes as a part of Nagal being invited to compete at the World Tennis League pre-season exhibition event.

But the 27-year-old has earned the right to that invitation. For the first time in his career, he has finished a season inside the top 100.

"This is my best season so far," Nagal, ranked 98 in the world, told Hindustan Times.

"To finish the year (inside the top 100) gives me a lot of motivation and confidence. I know how important it is to have that good confidence throughout the year."

Nagal started the year ranked 138 in the world but collected 80 crucial ranking points after reaching the second round of the Australian Open in January—that too after starting in the qualifiers. But it was in the tournament following that, when he won the ATP Challenger event in Chennai in February, in which he managed to break into the top 100 for the first time in his career.