London: Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal reflected on his Wimbledon experience, acknowledging his competitive edge in the third set against higher-ranked Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia but attributing his loss to grass court inexperience.

Nagal, 26, competed in his first Wimbledon main draw, facing a formidable challenge from the 52nd-ranked Kecmanovic. Despite a valiant effort, Nagal succumbed 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 in a marathon match lasting nearly three-and-a-half hours. He expressed satisfaction with his performance but highlighted areas for improvement.

"This being my debut at Wimbledon, adapting to grass was challenging. I believe I gave it my all, fought hard throughout. In hindsight, my serve and a few tactical decisions could have been better," Nagal remarked in an interview with Star Sports.

"In the third set, I felt the momentum shifting in my favour. Had I managed to break him at 5-3 while he served, the match could have taken a different turn."

Reflecting on the overall experience at SW19, Nagal expressed gratitude for the opportunity despite the result. "It was a tremendous experience. After such a long and intense match, there are always thoughts of what could have been. Nevertheless, learning from this and improving is crucial," he added.

Looking ahead, Nagal aims to continue his ascent in the rankings and is eagerly anticipating the Paris Olympics, where the surface shifts to clay courts. "My focus now shifts to preparing for Paris. It'll be my second Olympics, and I'm looking forward to representing India with determination," Nagal stated.

Ranked 71st globally, Nagal intends to build on his achievements and is optimistic about his future prospects. "Climbing higher in the rankings remains a priority. There are goals I want to achieve, and consistent improvement is key to reaching them," he affirmed.

Mahesh Bhupathi, a tennis legend, empathised with Nagal's disappointment but praised his overall performance. "He's had a breakthrough year and played high-quality tennis. Wimbledon presents tough challenges, and seizing pivotal moments is crucial," Bhupathi emphasised.

Zeeshan Ali, former Davis Cup player, offered encouragement, noting Nagal's competitive spirit and suggesting enhanced preparation for future Wimbledon campaigns. "Sumit shouldn't dwell on this loss. He showcased great tennis and had opportunities. Preparing with specific grass court matches could boost his readiness," Ali advised.

Sumit Nagal's journey at Wimbledon may have ended in defeat, but his resilience and determination signal promising prospects as he prepares to tackle new challenges on the global tennis stage. PTI