Sumit Nagal withdraws from Davis Cup match due to back injury

India's top men's singles tennis player Sumit Nagal has pulled out of the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Sweden due to a back problem. As per the doctor's advice, two weeks rest is necessary, he said.

Sumit Nagal took to social media to announce on Monday his availability status for the Davis Cup. The 27-year-old bowed out in the first round after his defeat to Talon Griekspoor of the Netherlands in the men's singles match of the US Open. Nagal also pulled out in the men's doubles event at Flushing Meadows due to the same back problem that has been bothering him over the past few weeks.

Nagal wrote on the social media platform 'X', "Hello everyone, I was really looking forward to representing India in the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Sweden. However, for the last few weeks, I have been bothered by a back problem, due to which the doctors have advised me to rest for the next two weeks, which did not give me enough time to prepare and compete in Sweden. Due to the same problem, I also had to withdraw from the US Open doubles." 

He further said, "I am very disappointed not to be able to play in this match, but I also have to focus on my body, so that I can end this season in a strong and healthy way." In early July, Nagal had achieved a new career-high ranking of 68, but in the last update released on August 12, he slipped to 73rd place. India will take on Sweden in the Davis Cup World Group 1 at the Royal Tennis Hall in Stockholm on September 14 and 15. Former national champion Ashutosh Singh was appointed India's tennis head coach last month, succeeding Zeeshan Ali. Ali had been working on this post for more than 11 years.