Sumit Nagal, India's top tennis player, is facing a significant setback as his visa application to compete in the Australian Open Asia-Pacific Wildcard Play-off in Chengdu, China, has been rejected without explanation. This event, scheduled from November 24 to 29, is crucial for players seeking a direct entry into the main draw of the 2026 Australian Open.

In a public appeal on social media, Nagal tagged the Chinese Ambassador to India and the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy, urgently requesting assistance. He stated, "[URGENT] Respected @China_Amb_India and @ChinaSpox_India. I am Sumit Nagal, India's No.1 Tennis player. I am supposed to fly to China soon to represent India at the Australian Open playoff. But my visa was rejected without reason. Your urgent help would be much appreciated."

Nagal, currently ranked World No. 275, has had a remarkable career, previously breaking into the top 100 and achieving notable victories, including defeating 25th seed Alexander Bublik at the 2024 Australian Open. He also made history by becoming the first Indian man to win a Masters 1000 match on clay at the Monte Carlo Masters.

The Chengdu tournament, organized by Tennis Australia in collaboration with the Chinese Tennis Association, features top players from the Asia-Pacific region competing for wildcards into the prestigious Australian Open. Nagal's participation is now uncertain, and he awaits a response from the Chinese authorities regarding his visa status. As of now, there has been no official comment from the Chinese Embassy, the All India Tennis Association, or Tennis Australia regarding this issue. Missing this playoff would be a significant blow for Nagal as he aims to solidify his position in Grand Slam events.