Two days after living his dream, Sumit Nagal is stuffing his rackets, towels, extra overgrips and electrolytes into his tennis bag and readying to return to the journeyman grind. On Monday night, the gutsy 22-year-old took a set off Roger Federer in his first-round loss and he now heads to a Challenger tournament in Genoa, Italy next. ESPN caught up with the No.190-ranked Indian who got groggy tennis fans in the country to scramble out of bed to wide-eyed surprise at the start of this week.
Excerpts from a chat:
To play Federer in your first Grand Slam main draw appearance and take a set out him, what were telling yourself then?
Winning the first set was great but it's not the end of the match. I knew who I was up against. After the first set, I didn't feel like 'yeah, this is it, I am gonna win it'. Of course, there is some belief, some trust you have in yourself somewhere. I was just trying my best to think point by point but it's not easy when you are playing before such a massive crowd, big screens, lots of things happening, it's super bright in there.
You lose your focus, your eyes always wander. That's what happened. I was struggling with the lights, I couldn't find my toss right. It was the first time I was playing under such bright, strong lights. I don't even remember the last time I played under the normal floodlights so I was really having a torrid time there. Also a bit of nerves.
Before the match you said how some may refer to you as 'just some dude from India' playing Federer. Do you think you did enough on Monday night to be now known by more than just that?
I've been flooded with lots of messages of support from everywhere. It's a lovely feeling. I think I could have done a bit better in the second and fourth sets but that's alright. It's just a learning experience but I definitely want to do more for my name, my future, my country.
You have quite a powerful forehand, is your serve something you're working at getting stronger too?
I'm working to get my serve better. I've had a really nasty shoulder injury in the past but things are getting better. I've begun trusting my shoulder more. In future you're going to see better serves coming in from me.
Playing at the Arthur Ashe, Federer on the other side, signing your first autographs on center court, taking home $58000 for a first-around appearance. It's a big moment and also your biggest pay check. How does it all come together in your head?
I just lived every tennis player's dream that night - playing at Arthur Ashe in a night match against Federer. I was just lucky enough for all of it to happen. It's a massive moment for me and also some decent money, but you know tennis is such an expensive sport that all of it just disappears so fast. I'd want to use it to probably get my physio to travel with me and for travel expenses for some extra tournaments that I can now afford to stick into my calendar. All of it put together, it was amazing. It was a great experience even if I didn't win the match. I learnt a lot from it, most importantly, how to control myself.
You had four break points in the final game. Did you think you stood a chance?
I think had I taken the last game, the match could have gone anywhere. You can get lucky sometimes in the tie break. Anything was possible. But I guess we all know how well he played in that last game. I had a really, really small chance and I went for it and I missed the ball by a couple of inches but I didn't feel too bad about it. Other points I had really no play on. He's the kind of guy who can raise his game whenever he wants. That's why he's a 20-time Grand Slam champion.
What did you make of the light-hearted banter over the similarity in your and Nadal's last names?
I think Rafa is too huge. I can't compare myself to him at any level.
But you do have an idol?
I don't have a favorite but I really like watching Rafa play. He is amazing. The hunger he has in his eyes and the intensity he brings with every point is just phenomenal. I really, really like to copy him and also try to copy his intensity in my practice sessions and matches. Hopefully someday I can bring some aspects of my game at least a little close to his.
You're back to the Challenger grind next week. What would you say this match has done to the way you look at yourself?
This match has given me a lot of confidence. I didn't play too bad, I didn't play amazing but it just feels great. I'm taking a whole bunch of memories and positives and I'll be leaving New York with the widest smile on my face.