The Indian tennis contingent will return from the Asian Games without a medal for the first time since 1986, following Sumit Nagal’s defeat in the men’s singles quarterfinals. Nagal lost to China’s Yibing Wu in straight sets, 4-6, 4-6, in a match lasting one hour and 38 minutes.
Sumit Nagal Falls to Yibing Wu in Straight Sets
With the medal-contending doubles teams exiting earlier in the week, the responsibility of carrying India’s medal hopes fell entirely on Nagal, the country’s top-ranked singles player. Facing Yibing Wu on court, Nagal lost 4-6, 4-6.
The defeat officially extinguished India’s remaining tennis challenges at the current Asian Games. It marks a stark departure from the nation’s consistent podium finishes in the sport over the last three decades.
End of a Three-Decade Medal Run
India had secured at least one tennis medal at every Asian Games since 1990, entering this tournament with expectations of capturing a minimum of three podium finishes. At the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Prajnesh Gunneswaran and Ankita Raina earned bronze medals in their respective singles categories.
At the Asian Games in Hangzhou, India did not win a singles medal, though the doubles pairings carried the team forward. Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan claimed the men’s doubles gold in 2018, while Bopanna teamed up with Rutuja Bhosale to capture mixed doubles gold in 2023.
Doubles Campaign Falls Short
Hopes for a podium finish this year also rested heavily on Yuki Bhambri and N. Sriram Balaji. However, Bhambri and Balaji suffered exits after being defeated in both the men’s doubles and mixed doubles events, compounding the disappointment for the traveling tennis delegation.
Related reading
