India’s leading male tennis player, Sumit Nagal, is facing a significant setback as he appeals to Chinese officials regarding a visa denial. This issue arises just as he is set to compete in the Australian Open wild-card playoffs, scheduled to commence on November 24 in Chengdu, China.
In a heartfelt social media post, Nagal reached out to the Chinese ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, urgently seeking assistance. “I am supposed to fly to China soon to represent India at the Australian Open playoff. But my visa was rejected without reason. Your urgent help would be much appreciated,” he wrote, expressing his frustration and urgency.
The Australian Open, which marks the start of the Grand Slam calendar, is slated to kick off on January 18, 2026, in Melbourne. So far, there has been no comment from Australian Open representatives regarding Nagal’s situation, nor has there been an official response from the Chinese embassy or the playoff organizers.
Relations between India and China, two of the world’s most populous nations, have recently shown signs of improvement. Notably, plans to resume direct flights between several cities in both countries have been announced, indicating a thawing in previously tense diplomatic relations.
Nagal, now 28 years old, has experienced notable highs and lows throughout his career. His memorable moment came during the 2019 US Open when he managed to capture the first set against tennis great Roger Federer, although he ultimately lost the match in four sets. At one point, he achieved a career-high ranking of 68 in July 2024, but his current standing has dropped to 290.
In the past year, Nagal faced challenges as he was eliminated in the first round at the Australian Open and struggled to qualify for both the French Open and Wimbledon. His significant achievements include winning the boys’ doubles title at Wimbledon in 2015 alongside Vietnam’s Ly Hoang Nam, marking him as one of the few Indian players to earn a junior Grand Slam title.
The upcoming Asia-Pacific wild-card playoff in Chengdu will feature a 16-player singles field for both men and women, along with 12 doubles teams. Last year, Zhang Shuai of China and Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej successfully secured their spots in the main draw of the 2025 Australian Open through this playoff, highlighting its importance for aspiring players in the region.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Nagal will be able to represent India and compete for a chance to enter the prestigious Australian Open. The outcome of his visa appeal will be pivotal for his immediate future in professional tennis.
