The 2025 Australian Open is set to witness an exciting first-round clash between the legendary Novak Djokovic and a young, promising talent, Nishesh Basavareddy. At just 19 years old, Basavareddy has already made a name for himself on the ATP Challenger Tour and is now ready to take on one of the sport’s greatest players.
The Stanford University
Nishesh Basavareddy was born to Indian parents from Nellore, India, and grew up in the United States. He initially pursued a degree in data science at Stanford University but decided to turn professional after achieving significant success in tennis. His decision to leave college and focus on tennis full-time was driven by his impressive performances in the ATP Challenger circuit and his qualification for the Next Gen ATP Finals.
Challnger titles
Basavareddy’s journey to the Australian Open has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2023, he reached his first competitive final at the Fairfield Challenger and continued to build on that success in 2024, winning his maiden Challenger-level title in Tiburon, California, and securing two more titles in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. His strong performances earned him a wildcard entry into the main draw of the Australian Open 2025.
Basavareddy is known for his powerful return game and aggressive baseline play, which has drawn comparisons to Djokovic himself. His ability to maintain consistency and adapt to different playing conditions has been a key factor in his rapid rise through the rankings. Despite being ranked 133rd in the world, Basavareddy has shown that he can compete with and challenge higher-ranked players.
Basavareddy vs. Djokovic
For Basavareddy, facing Djokovic in the first round of the Australian Open is a dream come true. He has long admired Djokovic and has modeled his game after the 24-time Grand Slam champion. This match will be a significant test for Basavareddy, but it also presents an incredible opportunity for him to showcase his talent on one of tennis’s biggest stages.
As Basavareddy prepares for his Australian Open debut, he remains focused and excited about the challenge ahead. He acknowledges the pressure of playing against a legend like Djokovic but is determined to give his best performance. With his strong work ethic and passion for the game, Basavareddy is poised to make a lasting impression in the world of tennis.
Nishesh Basavareddy’s journey from a Stanford student to a professional tennis player is an inspiring story of dedication and perseverance. As he steps onto the court to face Djokovic, all eyes will be on this young talent to see if he can rise to the occasion and make his mark in the world of tennis.
Basavareddy in Auckland, ranking, and results in 2025
Now ranked no.133 (career-high), Nishesh owns a composed 7-1 match record in 2025. Nishesh is competing in Auckland where he overcame the world no.82 Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-7(3) 7-5 6-3, the world no.93 Daniel Altmaier 6-2 6-1, the world no.85 Francisco Comesana 6-2 6-2, the world no.23 Alejandro Tabilo 6-4 5-7 6-4 and the world no.41 Alex Michelsen 2-6 6-2 6-4.
Nishesh Basavareddy will face the world no.52 Gael Monfils in the semifinal on Friday at 1:00 pm on CENTRE COURT. The head to head is 1-0 for Monfils.
He is also scheduled to play at the Australian Open (Australian Open) on the 12th of January and () on the 29th of December.
