Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal has praised Roger Federer and called the Swiss legend a wizard, adding that the “most annoying” part of facing the greats has been their unpredictable style of play.
The 25-year-old said Federer had too many tricks up his sleeve and it was difficult to predict which shot he would play.
“Federer you can call a magician. You don’t know what’s coming. This is one of the most annoying parts to play against him that you have no idea. Will this guy hit a second serve and hit the net? Is he looking for a short backhand cross or is he trying to get you in?” Nagal told Sportskeeda on the sidelines of the ATP 250 Maharashtra Open in Pune.
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“He has too many options, you know. You realize, but ultimately you also have to know what you are capable of and what you are not capable of,” she added.
In August 2019, Nagal and Federer met in the first round of the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Nagal took the first set and delivered a huge upset, but Federer came from behind to win the match 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. Federer was number 3 in the men’s draw at the time.
“To be honest, I don’t like it when people say that (a lot), you know. In the end, I lost the game. If he beat (Federer) is another story. A loss is a loss. On our ATP website it doesn’t say: ‘Sumit Nagal won the first set, but he lost the fourth set. Wow, shame on him,’” said the Indian.
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(This story was unedited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)
