Paris Olympics 2024: A Challenging Road Ahead for Indian Tennis
Nagal Faces Tough Opening Round
India’s top singles player, Sumit Nagal, has been handed a challenging opening round match at the Paris Olympics. He will face off against French opponent Corentin Moutet, a player he has a 2-2 head-to-head record with. While Nagal secured a victory over Moutet in their most recent encounter in April, the Frenchman is currently ranked higher at 68th in the world compared to Nagal’s 80th.
A potential second-round clash against world number six Alex de Minaur looms large for Nagal if he manages to overcome Moutet. De Minaur, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist, poses a formidable challenge, although his recent withdrawal from the tournament due to a hip injury adds an element of uncertainty to his current form.
Bopanna-Balaji to Battle French Duo
In the men’s doubles, experienced campaigner Rohan Bopanna and his partner N Sriram Balaji have been drawn against the French pair of Fabien Reboul and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Interestingly, Bopanna has previously shared the court with Roger-Vasselin on the ATP Tour.
For Bopanna, this Olympics represents his final opportunity to clinch an Olympic medal. He previously finished fourth in the mixed doubles event at the 2016 Rio Games alongside Sania Mirza.
A Home Advantage for French Players
The draw has undoubtedly presented a tough challenge for the Indian tennis players. Playing against French opponents on home soil is never easy, and both Nagal and the Bopanna-Balaji pair will need to be at their best to progress in the tournament.
Indian tennis fans will be hoping for strong performances from their representatives and will be eagerly following their progress in the coming days.
DISCLAIMER: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.
