Sumit Nagal Opens Up on Injury Battles, Mental Health and Comeback After Winning ATP Challenger Title in Romania

Winning the Târgu Mureș ATP Challenger title in Romania was much more than another trophy for India's top-ranked singles player, Sumit Nagal. It marked the end of nearly two years of frustration, injuries, self-doubt and isolation.

Fresh after lifting his seventh ATP Challenger title, Nagal offered one of his most honest and emotional media interactions, speaking openly about the physical and mental challenges he has endured over the last two seasons. The 28-year-old admitted there were moments when he questioned everything from his tennis to his future but believes the latest title has given him a fresh foundation to build upon.

When asked what ending his title drought meant emotionally, Nagal did not hide his feelings. He revealed that the previous two years had been among the toughest of his professional career. A combination of poor form, repeated injuries, falling rankings and reduced earnings created enormous emotional pressure.

He even admitted that after winning the title, the emotions were so overwhelming that he struggled to sleep and remained awake until around four in the morning.

For Nagal, the trophy represents much more than ranking points. It is a renewed source of confidence and hope. He described the victory as a platform from which he can begin pushing forward once again after spending months searching for answers both on and off the court.

There Were Days He Couldn't Stay Motivated

Perhaps the most striking part of the conversation came when Nagal discussed motivation. Rather than offering a rehearsed response, he admitted there were periods when he simply wasn't motivated. He questioned himself repeatedly, wondering why he was continuing to play when nothing seemed to be working. Both his performances and his personal life felt difficult during those moments.

Eventually, conversations with his coaching team helped him regain perspective. Those discussions encouraged him to focus on what he truly wanted from tennis and life, gradually allowing him to rebuild his confidence and rediscover clarity.

Nagal's recent struggles were not limited to poor results. He dealt with multiple physical setbacks, including back and hip injuries, along with illness that disrupted his progress on tour. Asked to summarise the last two years physically, Nagal acknowledged how difficult the period had been but also made it clear that he does not want to dwell on it anymore. Instead, his attention is now firmly on staying healthy and playing as much tennis as possible.

He believes every completed match helps his body feel stronger again, and the demanding week in Romania reinforced that confidence. According to Nagal, his body is now moving in the right direction, giving him optimism for the remainder of the season.

Although there was no dramatic overhaul in his preparation, Nagal explained that he made several important adjustments over recent months. He focused more closely on nutrition, underwent medical testing, modified his supplement routine and placed greater emphasis on sleep and recovery. These changes only began earlier this year, so he believes it is still too early to judge their full impact. However, he is encouraged by how his body has responded so far and hopes the benefits continue over the coming months.

Nagal also spoke candidly about how deeply the difficult period affected him personally. After disappointing weeks on tour, he often withdrew from those closest to him.

There were times when he stopped talking regularly to friends and family, preferring to keep everything to himself. Rather than seeking distractions, he admitted he spent much of that time "in a cave", dealing with his thoughts alone. He believes a turning point came after the Poznań Challenger, when he spent significant time reflecting on his mindset and realised changes were necessary.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/sumit-nagal-wins-seventh-atp-challenger-title-returns-to-top-220-after-t-rgu-mure-triumph

Interestingly, Nagal revealed that he did not even feel ready to speak with a sports psychologist during that period because he was avoiding almost every conversation. Instead, the process of rebuilding began through honest conversations with him. During the Romanian Challenger, Nagal's approach was noticeably different. Rather than focusing on opponents or rankings, he concentrated entirely on his own game.

His objective was straightforward: play the brand of tennis that had brought him success two or three years ago. That philosophy also helped him recover after losing the opening set in three separate matches during the tournament. His internal message remained constant fight until the final point, regardless of the scoreline.

With the title secured and his ranking climbing back to World No. 219, Nagal is refusing to set ambitious ranking targets for the remainder of the season. Instead, he has one simple objective: stay healthy and play as many tournaments as possible. He believes that once he finds his rhythm, the tennis will naturally follow.

The Indian also confirmed that he intends to compete in the Challenger tournaments held in India later this season, describing them as special opportunities to play in front of home supporters. Nagal also offered advice to young Indian players hoping to follow a similar path. Reflecting on how he approached Mahesh Bhupathi as a youngster, he encouraged the next generation to be bold and confident enough to seize opportunities instead of waiting for them.

The Romanian title may have ended a long wait for silverware, but Nagal's biggest victory perhaps lies elsewhere. After two years filled with injuries, setbacks and self-doubt, India's top-ranked singles player has rediscovered belief and that may prove even more valuable than the trophy itself.