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Stepping onto the brink of something extraordinary in the world of tennis, Nishesh Basavareddy is a rising star. His remarkable journey has captured the attention of fans and experts alike, as it has taken him from the courts of Stanford University to the professional arena.  Basavareddy has now punched his ticket to the 2025 Australian Open, as he has made it into the Australian Open 2025 wild card list alongside names like Stan Wawrinka.

With commendable performances this year, Basavareddy broke into the Top 100. He is currently placed at the 138th position in the ATP rankings and this is just the beginning for the American youngster, but who is he really?

When did Basavareddy begin his tennis journey?

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Basavareddy’s tennis journey began at a young age when his family moved from Southern California to Central Indiana. At just eight years of age, he met his mentor, Rajeev Ram, at a tennis camp organized by their mutual coach, Bryan Smith. This pivotal encounter set the stage for over a decade of guidance from Ram, who has been instrumental in shaping Basavareddy’s career.

As a standout student-athlete at Stanford University, Nishesh earned the Pac-12 Singles Player of the Year award and finished 12th in the ITA singles rankings, proving his talent on the court. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “Any time you can get that kind of support, financially, knowing that people are backing you is huge.” Basavareddy emphasized how crucial Rajeev’s mentorship has been for his growth.

 

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“[Rajeev] has been super important because he played junior tennis, college tennis, and made that leap to pro tennis after leaving the University of Illinois. His advice on what to expect on the pro tour has been invaluable,” he added. During the 2024 season, this young player truly showcased some impressive caliber.

What accomplishments has Basavareddy made in 2024?

In early June, Nishesh Basavareddy made a splash by reaching the semi-finals at the Little Rock Challenger, which propelled him into the top 400 of the ATP rankings. A month later, he showcased his growing talent by advancing to the finals in Bloomfield Hills, narrowly missing out on the title. His journey continued at the 2024 US Open, where he faced Hamad Medjedovic in the third qualifying round. Although he fell short, each match underscored his determination and skill as he climbed the ranks in professional tennis.

Nishesh’s hard work paid off at the Tiburon Challenger, where he dominated Eliot Spizzirri in the semi-finals with a score of 6-1, 6-1 in just 54 minutes. He effectively utilized both his first and second serves, applying constant pressure and winning an impressive 59% of his return points, converting those into five breaks. This performance highlighted his prowess and set him up for greater success.

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After a brief hiatus from the professional circuit, Basavareddy returned to the ATP Challenger Tour with renewed energy, competing in events in Columbus and Charleston. He ultimately clinched his first Challenger title in Tiburon and his second title in Puerto Vallarta. These marked significant milestones in his career and boosted his chances for a wildcard position in the 2025 Australian Open.

Who are Basavareddy’s biggest inspirations?

As the excitement builds for the 20-and-under event in Jeddah, the 19-year-old reflected on the incredible journey that has brought him to this moment. He’s not shy about sharing who’s inspired him along the way. Nishesh looks up to tennis sensations like Carlos Alcaraz, Brandon Nakashima, and Juan Martin del Potro, and he has a special connection with his mentor, Rajeev Ram.

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Thinking back to when he first watched Alcaraz play, Nishesh recalls the thrilling match against Jannik Sinner at a Challenger event. “It’s incredible how quickly he shot up,” Nishesh said. That match was just the beginning; Alcaraz went on to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas at the US Open later that year, making headlines as an 18-year-old. “That was a pretty crazy match for a teenager,” Basavareddy noted, amazed at watching the young Spaniard back in the day. But the fascination didn’t stop there. It went on till Alcaraz’s 2023 Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic, as he stated, “That one really sticks out”

Now as he gears up for the 2025 Australian Open, alongside top ATP players, will he be able to impress everyone by showcasing his best skills on the court? What do you think?

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Is Nishesh Basavareddy the next big American tennis sensation we've all been waiting for?