Visa Woes: Sumit Nagal's Australian Open Dream Halted by Mysterious Chinese Visa Rejection
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Tennis player Sumit Nagal's plans for the upcoming season have hit a roadblock after his Chinese visa application was unexpectedly rejected. The 28-year-old India No.1, who has a direct entry to the 2026 Australian Open Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff, had applied for the visa to compete in the tournament scheduled to begin in Chengdu on November 24. Nagal, who aims to get back into the top 100, has expressed confusion over the rejection, given his previous experiences with obtaining Chinese visas. He had reapplied for the visa and sought support from the sports ministry, but a delay may affect his training plans in Dubai, where he was set to practice with world No.42 Alexandre Muller of France. The rejection has put Nagal's preparation for the Australian Open at risk, potentially impacting his chances of making a strong comeback after a rough 2025 season. Currently ranked world No.275, Nagal had reached as high as 68 in 2024 before a series of injuries led to a decline in his ranking. The Indian tennis player was scheduled to travel to Dubai on Friday and then to China on November 21, but the visa rejection has cast uncertainty over his plans. Nagal had planned to practice in Dubai before competing in the Australian Open Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff and then begin his off-season training in Goa before the 2026 season. The sports ministry has been approached for support, and Nagal remains hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon. However, the delay has raised concerns about the impact on his preparation for the upcoming season.
