Nagal hopes he silenced critics with Swiss victory

Sumit Nagal and Davis Cup has been a rocky ride over the last couple of years driven largely by off-court noise. Until, with Nagal's charged up celebrations after his two wins across Friday and Saturday in the indoor Swiss Arena, it was redirected on track and to the court.

- Rutvick Mehta

It had been a couple of years since that happened. After his last Davis Cup appearance in September 2023, the top Indian singles pro's absence became the bigger talking point than often the tie itself, with people outside and inside the federation questioning his non-presence.

And so, after his presence lifted India to one of its finest Davis Cup victories this century - Nagal won both his singles matches to lead the team to a 3-1 upset of ninth seeds Switzerland in Biel - it meant a bit more to him.

"I've always been motivated to play for India. But there were unfortunate events that didn't give me a chance to play - having an injury and then the discussions with AITA (All India Tennis Association)," said Nagal, a two-time Olympian.

"I just hope the people that were pointing fingers at me, saying if I'm not capable of playing Davis Cup and all such things... I don't know the last time a single player from India won two points in Europe against a European country."