Exclusive: 'I just want to really enjoy my first Grand Slam', says Nishesh Basavareddy on upcoming Australian Open debut

It has been quite a memorable year for Indian-American tennis player Nishesh Basavareddy, who first got a hang of what competing in a Grand Slam feels like after he featured in the Qualifiers of the US Open in August and September. Things got even better for the 19-year-old, who is currently enrolled at the prestigious Stanford University in California, recently when he secured a wildcard entry for the Australian Open in January, thus confirming his debut in the main draw of a Major.

Firstpost recently caught up with the teenager who could be the next big Indian-American tennis star after Rajeev Ram, chatting on a variety of topics from his the beginning of his journey in the sport to his expectations from his first Grand Slam appearance.

Excerpts:

Firstpost: Would you describe this as the biggest moment of your life so far? And what was your first reaction like?

Nishesh Basavareddy: I knew after the first round if I made the final, I would get in. I was tight the first day when I found out and I tried to calm myself down and tell myself I had a couple of more matches that I still needed to win before I get the wildcard. After the semi-finals, it’s just a huge relief to finally get in, be in first Grand Slam Major also. Just really excited.

FP: What was the experience of playing in the US Open qualifiers and how crucial will that experience be for your Grand Slam debut?

NB: That was probably the best, the most fun tournament I’ve had in my life. There are so many fans there… having the support of the home crowd and also a lot of my teammates from school came out. All three of those matches were super enjoyable.

Congrats to Nishesh Basavareddy, who earned a main draw entry to the Australian Open over the weekend!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/qPX5LV7QUF

— Stanford Men's Tennis (@StanfordTennis) November 20, 2024

Obviously I fell one set short in the final round of the qualifiers, but I think that experience definitely helped a lot just being around a Grand Slam atmosphere, in the same locker room with all the top guys is just really eye-opening and I think that will help me in the Australian Open for sure.

FP: What inspired you to pick up a tennis racquet and who were some of your idols growing up?

NB: My idol growing up was Novak Djokovic mostly. He’s my favourite player since I was young. But my dad kind of inspired me to pick up a racquet. He played recreationally when we used to live in California, and then I just started following him and my older brother on to the court and started playing when I was only three of four years old and it just continued from there.

6️⃣th final of the season ‼️

Nishesh Basavareddy flies past Alvarez 6-3, 6-2 to reach the championship match in Puerto Vallarta #ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/ymObsOb0vb

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 24, 2024

FP: How much of an influence have Indian tennis legends such as Vijay Amritraj, Leander Paes, Sania Mirza had on Indian Americans such as yourself?

NB: Even 20-30 years ago, there were virtually no Indian-American tennis players. And then, obviously Rajeev Ram started playing and he’s had a great career, and I think following him now there’s been a lot of Indian-American tennis players in college tennis and now they’re trying to make it on the pro-tour. So I think definitely all those Indian legends have helped make it seem like possible they get to the highest levels of tennis. So they’ve had a huge impact.

FP: What was your first meeting with Rajeev Ram like and how did he inspire you in your tennis journey?

NB: I first met him when I was eight years old at a tennis camp. He joined in for a couple of points against me and some other friends. That’s when I first met him because we have the same coach.

Since then we just started talking a lot, especially in the last couple of years and he’s kind of mentored me along this journey in transition from junior tennis to college tennis to pro tennis, and just helped me understand what to expect on tour – the hurdles and also just what I should continue to improve in my game. The tennis knowledge that he has is really good, so he’s helped me a lot in this process.

FP: What was it like practising with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz in Turin (ATP Finals) last year and how did that change you as a player?

NB: That experience was really cool, being at the Finals event. The way they treated the players there and everything was really cool and inspired me to try and get to that level someday. But yeah with Alcaraz, Sinner, Rune and Medvedev, what struck me the most was their movement and their defense on the court.

I feel like when I watch some of the other guys on tour, maybe like lower top-100, I feel like these guys just defend the court way better and they’re able to create defense to offense at a really high level. So I think that’s what struck me the most about what I need to improve in my game.

FP: Would you say tennis is the most popular sport among Indian Americans after cricket? Given the number of talents that have emerged from this community including Rajeev Ram?

NB: I think so. Most of my friends from when I was younger and they’re Indian, all kind of picked up a tennis racquet. So I think in the US, tennis definitely tennis is the most popular sport in the Indian-American community. Because there’s not that much cricket here, obviously.

FP: What are your short term and long term goals in the sport? And what targets are you setting for yourself as far as the Australian Open is concerned?

NB: Short term goal is to qualify for Jeddah at the end of this year. And long-term goals are just to stay healthy and keep improving, and hopefully break the top-100 next year at some point and keep moving up in the rankings.

And for the Australian Open, I just want to really enjoy my first Grand Slam and get ready for three-out-of-five-set tennis this off-season. So get physically stronger so I can be able to last in the environment.

FP: Who would be your dream opponent from players that are currently active and from players who have ever played the sport?

NB: Maybe playing Nadal at the French Open. I think that would be cool. (Alcaraz?) Yeah, or maybe Djokovic. That would be a really cool experience.