London, June 22, 2025 : India’s No. 1 tennis player Sumit Nagal, currently ranked World No. 300, has been drawn in a tough section of the men’s Wimbledon 2025 Qualifying draw.
The 26-year-old begins his campaign against Giulio Zeppieri of Italy, a fellow former top-120 player, in what promises to be a competitive opening-round encounter.
The section also includes former Top-20 player Cristian Garin of Chile, the dangerous Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante, and promising talents such as Filip Cristian Jianu and Francesco Maestrelli. To qualify for the main draw, Nagal must win three matches in a row no easy feat given the experience and firepower packed into his part of the draw.
Nagal vs Zeppieri: A Battle of Comebacks
Nagal, once ranked as high as No. 68 in August 2023, has seen a significant ranking drop over the past year due to injuries and lack of deep runs on the ATP Tour. However, grass remains a surface where he has shown flashes of promise.
His Wimbledon memories include a spirited first-round main draw performance in 2024, where he pushed Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic to four sets in a 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 loss.
His opponent, Giulio Zeppieri, currently ranked World No. 368, is also navigating his way back from injury setbacks. Once World No. 110 and tipped to be Italy’s next big thing, Zeppieri has struggled for rhythm in recent months. While his big lefty forehand and solid clay-court credentials are well-known, the transition to grass hasn’t come easy for the 23-year-old.
This opening-round clash is a classic case of two once-promising players trying to rebuild momentum. For Nagal, known for his counter punching style and foot speed, the key will be to absorb Zeppieri’s initial aggression and make him move laterally on the fast lawns of Roehampton.
Cristian Garin Looms in the Draw
If Nagal gets past Zeppieri, he is likely to face Cristian Garin, the eighth seed in qualifying and one of the most accomplished players in the draw. The Chilean, a former World No. 17, has dropped to No. 116, but remains a dangerous floater on all surfaces. His quarterfinal run at Wimbledon 2022 is still fresh in memory, where he defeated Alex de Minaur in a five-set thriller.
Garin has the baseline grit and Grand Slam pedigree that could pose a serious test. However, like Nagal, he is trying to claw his way back into the top 100, having struggled with form over the past season.
The Tirante Threat
On the other side of the mini-section lies Thiago Agustin Tirante of Argentina, the 19th seed in qualifying. Ranked No. 129, Tirante has built a reputation as a big-stage player in Challenger events. Though clay is his preferred surface, the 23-year-old is improving on grass and comes in with a career-high ranking of No. 90.
If form holds, a potential third-round clash between Nagal and Tirante could decide the qualifier. But that path is lined with talent including wild card Paul Jubb, a Brit who famously pushed Nick Kyrgios to five sets at Wimbledon 2022, and Maestrelli, a rising Italian with a booming serve.
Nagal’s Grass-Court Evolution
For Sumit Nagal, grass has traditionally been his least preferred surface. However, in recent years, he has begun to find his footing on quicker courts. His flat backhand and ability to take the ball early suit low-bouncing conditions, but his serve while consistent lacks the firepower to earn many free points on grass.
In 2024, his appearance in the Wimbledon main draw ended in a four-set loss to Kecmanovic, but the fight he showed gave Indian tennis fans hope that he could thrive on grass with more exposure. Now in 2025, he returns to qualifying, facing a steeper path but with the experience of having been there before.
Indian Hopes and a Competitive Section
India has not seen a male singles player in the Wimbledon main draw through qualifying since Somdev Devvarman’s prime. With Rohan Bopanna and other doubles stars flying the tricolor in SW19, Nagal carries the lone torch in singles for now.
His current ranking of No. 300 means he may require a few months of consistent results just to regain a place in Grand Slam main draws without qualifying. This week, then, represents both a chance and a test a chance to reintroduce himself to the tour’s elite, and a test of his physical and mental resilience on one of tennis’s most traditional proving grounds.
Draw Snapshot: Nagal’s Section
- Cristian Garin [8] (CHL, Rank 116, CH 17)
- Francesco Maestrelli (ITA)
- Filip Cristian Jianu (ROU)
- Hady Habib (LBN)
- Sumit Nagal (IND, Rank 300, CH 68)
- Giulio Zeppieri (ITA, Rank 368, CH 110)
- Paul Jubb [WC] (GBR)
- Thiago Tirante [19] (ARG, Rank 129, CH 90)
What’s at Stake
Qualifying for the Wimbledon main draw isn’t just about prestige it brings significant prize money, ATP ranking points, and crucially, momentum. For Nagal, whose 2025 season has so far been underwhelming in terms of match wins, a deep qualifying run could be the turning point.
His opening match against Zeppieri will likely set the tone. A win there could open doors, both in the tournament and psychologically. At 26, Nagal still has time and if he finds his best tennis, he might just make another Centre Court dream come true.
