(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
India’s Top Tennis Star Sumit Nagal Claims China Denied Him Visa Ahead of Key Tournament
November 13, 2025
India’s leading men’s tennis player Sumit Nagal has claimed that China denied him a visa just weeks before he was scheduled to compete at an Australian Open qualifying event in Sichuan province.
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The 28-year-old, currently ranked world number 275, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to express his disappointment.
“I am supposed to fly to China soon to represent India at the Australian Open Playoff. But my visa was rejected without reason,” Nagal wrote.
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Nagal, who has represented India at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, achieved a career-high ranking of 68 in 2024. He has competed twice in the Australian Open main draw, reaching the second round in 2024 and the first round earlier this year.
The upcoming Australian Open Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff, set to begin on November 24, offers players from the region a chance to earn a direct entry into the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne.
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According to tournament organizers, players are advised to contact the Chinese consulate for information regarding visa requirements and may request an official letter of invitation. However, organizers have not commented publicly on Nagal’s claim, despite multiple requests from AFP.
AFP also confirmed it has sought responses from Nagal’s agent and China’s foreign ministry regarding the incident.
This visa issue arises amid gradually improving India-China relations following years of diplomatic strain. The two countries, which share a contested Himalayan border, resumed direct flights last month after a five-year break caused by the pandemic and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
