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In an interview to the Hindustan Times, the Indian player Sumit Nagal recalled when he figured out that he would have played against Roger Federer in the US Open main draw first round earlier this year. Nagal said: "I had just finished my final qualifying round and was in the locker room, getting a massage.
I was face down on my mobile when my fitness trainer messaged me saying, ‘Oh! You’re up against Federer.’ I was like ‘amazing’, because that’s what I wanted. Before playing my final (qualifying) round, the draw was already out and this is what I had been saying...
if I win this match I would like to play Roger and that’s what happened." Asked what he thought when he won the first set, Nagal replied: "The matches are long, best of five sets in a (Grand) Slam. Winning the first set, you have the upper hand being in the lead but that doesn’t mean that you’ve won the match.
My focus and thoughts were still there, (was) doing the right things. (But) the game changed very quickly, tennis is all about momentum. It went to him... few mistakes here and there. When I lost the second set it was still 1-1, I still had another three sets.
I tried my best (but) things didn’t go according to plan but overall it was a good experience. When we shook hands, he said, ‘Great season so far and good luck for the rest.’"