Australian Open 2025: India’s Sumit Nagal to begin men’s singles campaign against world No. 26 Tomas Machac

India's Sumit Nagal will begin his Australian Open 2025 campaign against world No. 26 Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic in the men's singles draw, which was announced on Thursday. After reaching the second round in the previous edition, Nagal will aim to progress further when the Australian Open 2025 begins on January 12.

Currently ranked 96 in the ATP rankings, the 27-year-old made it to the main draw by virtue of being among the 104 highest-ranked players in the world. Nagal started his journey in 2025 with two wins in the Auckland Open qualifiers before succumbing in the first round.

Sumit Nagal defeated Alexander Klintcharov and Adrian Mannarino in the Auckland Open qualifiers. In the first round, Nagal lost to USA's Alex Michelsen 7-6 (8), 4-6, 2-6 in a gruelling two-hour and 40-minute battle.

Notably, the Auckland Open is a tune-up event for the Australian Open. In the previous edition, Nagal, then ranked 137, upset world no. 27 Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik in a thrilling clash. He eventually lost to China's Juncheng Shang in the second round.

Nagal was in the news recently for once again refusing to play for the country in the Davis Cup. If everything goes well for Nagal, the Indian could face Rilley Opelka, who is ranked 171 in the ATP rankings.

Other Indians in Australian Open 2025

Apart from Nagal, Rithvik Bollipalli is another Indian to feature at the Australian Open 2025. The 23-year-old, who has steadily risen in the ATP doubles circuit, will compete in men's doubles. He will either partner Ryan Seggerman or Robin Hasse. However, the men's doubles draw at the Australian Open 2025 is yet to be announced.

This will be Bollipalli's first Major in his career. Recently, the Bollipalli-Hasse duo made a pre-quarterfinal exit from Brisbane International after losing 4-6, 2-6 to the local alternate combination of Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler in 65 minutes.