Indian Tennis Stars Rohan Bopanna and Sumit Nagal Set for Davis Cup World Group II Clash Against Morocco

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has unveiled the Indian tennis team that will compete in the Davis Cup 2023 World Group II tie against Morocco, scheduled to take place in Lucknow from September 16 to 17. The team comprises six talented players, including seasoned veteran Rohan Bopanna and top men’s singles player Sumit Nagal, ranked world number 179 in the ATP Rankings.

Rohan Bopanna and Sumit Nagal Lead the Team

Indian tennis fans can look forward to witnessing the exceptional talents of Rohan Bopanna and Sumit Nagal on the court. Rohan Bopanna, currently ranked world number nine in doubles, has had a stellar year, clinching victories at the Qatar Open and Indian Wells Masters alongside his doubles partner Matthew Ebden. He announced last month that this Davis Cup appearance will mark his final participation in the event, adding a touch of emotion to his performance.

Sumit Nagal, who has endured challenges due to injuries in recent years, has shown remarkable progress in his ranking. His exceptional performance in the ongoing season includes securing ATP Challenger titles in Rome and Tampere, adding strength to the Indian team’s lineup.

Joining Bopanna and Nagal in the Indian team are Sasikumar Mukund (world No. 345), Digvijay Pratap Singh (world No. 535), Yuki Bhambri (world No. 944), and Ramkumar Ramanathan (world No. 573). The team will be under the guidance of non-playing skipper Rohit Rajpal, with Zeeshan Ali serving as the coach.

Practice Squad for Optimal Preparation

Following their loss to Denmark in the World Group 1 Playoffs earlier this year, India was relegated to the Group II stage for the first time since the new format was introduced in 2019. With only one change from the previous squad, Digvijay Pratap Singh replaces Prajnesh Gunneswaran, bringing fresh energy to the team.

In addition to the primary six-member team, AITA has appointed five more players, including Saketh Myneni, Manas Dhamne, Manish Sureshkumar, Karan Singh, and Yuvan Nandal. These players will accompany the main squad and engage in practice matches to ensure the Indian team is fully prepared for the upcoming Davis Cup encounter.

The Davis Cup tie features five matches, with four singles and one doubles game. To secure victory, the team must win at least three of these matches. The World Group II stage includes 24 teams, and the top 12 winning teams will advance to the World Group I playoffs, while the remaining teams will compete in the World Group II playoffs.

Throughout its Davis Cup history, the Indian tennis team has achieved notable performances, finishing as runners-up in 1966, 1974, and 1987. As they prepare to face Morocco, the team aspires to continue their legacy of exceptional tennis and leave a mark in this prestigious tournament.