MELBOURNE: Mahesh Bhupathi first met Sumit Nagal sixteen years ago when the veteran pro was on a talent hunt for his tennis academy in Bengaluru. The racket head speed generated by the ten-year-old caught his eye. "He hit a heavy ball, bigger than his size," Bhupathi said.
The 49-year-old, former No.1 in doubles, speaking to TOI from Dubai, saw something more than shot making skills in Nagal. "He has this hunger," Bhupathi said. It is that hunger that has steered the course of Nagal's journey as he battled back from hip surgery.
