Nadal Withdraws, Sumit Nagal Replaces Him At Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, CA (IANS) – Three-time champion Rafael Nadal withdrew from the 2024 Paribas Open, saying he is not fully ready to compete at the highest level.

The ATP 1000 Masters event’s main draw started on March 7 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

But he will not take the court against former World No. 3 Milos Raonic and will be replaced by lucky loser Sumit Nagal of India, who succumbed to South Korea’s Seong-chan Hong in a hard-fought encounter during the final qualifying round.

Nagal started playing tennis at the age of eight at a local sports club. When he was ten years old, he was selected to join Mahesh Bhupathi’s training academy. As part of the program, between 2008 and 2010, Nagal was based in Bengaluru. Upon the program closing, Nagal moved to Toronto for training with Coach Bobby Mahal.