Indian tennis No 1 appeals to Chinese officials after visa denied for grand slam qualifier
Sumit Nagal takes to social media to ask China embassy, ambassador to intervene after not being given entry to play at Chengdu event
India’s top-ranked male tennis player is appealing to Chinese authorities after saying he was denied a visa to compete in an Australian Open wild-card playoff tournament beginning on November 24 in Chengdu.
Sumit Nagal took to social media to ask the Chinese ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, and the Chinese embassy to intervene on his behalf.
“I am supposed to fly to China soon to represent India at the Australian Open playoff,” Nagal posted on Tuesday. “But my visa was rejected without reason. Your urgent help would be much appreciated.”
Australian Open officials were asked for comment on Wednesday. The 2026 Australian Open, the first grand slam event of the year, begins on January 18 in Melbourne.
Relations between the two Asian powers and with the two largest populations in the world have improved recently. India and China last month planned to resume direct flights between some of their cities after a five-year suspension as the relations between the two countries begin to thaw.
Press Trust of India reported there had been no immediate response from the embassy or playoff organisers.