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The current top-ranked Indian tennis icon Sumit Nagal emerged as the most expensive player at the auction of Tennis Premier League Season 5. A total of eight teams participated in the auction that was conducted at the Sahara Star Hotel in Mumbai. In the auction, several Indian and global players went under the hammer, while the number one men’s singles player took the centre stage.
Nagal, who is ranked on top of All-India Tennis Association (AITA) in the men’s singles category, was sold for a whopping INR 18.5 Lakh in the bid. The 26-year-old was acquired by the Ramgur Patgir-owned Gujarat Panthers for the upcoming season of the tennis league. Apart from Nagal, Panthers acquired the three singles ITF titles holder Karman Kaur Thandi for INR 8.5 Lakh as well as Mukund Sasikumar.
Speaking of the two-time champions Hyderabad Strikes, the Rakul Preet Singh-led side booked five WTA doubles titles and several ITF titles holder Ellen Perez for the forthcoming season. Apart from Perez, the Strikes booked Arjuna Awardee and Davis Cup participant Saketh Myneni while retaining Nikki Poonacha.
The Indian tennis icon, Sania Mirza, who guides Bengaluru SG Mavericks, opened up on the squad for the tournament after the auction. Mirza said, “We were determined to pick Arina Rodionova in the Season 5 auction, knowing her impressive talents. Additionally, with Ramkumar Ramanathan and Vishnu Vardhan, I think we have a fairly balanced squad and are confident of going all out for the title this time.”
