The rise of Indian-American tennis pro Nishesh Basavareddy

(July 15, 2025) At 19, Nishesh Basavareddy walked onto the court at the 2025 Australian Open as a rising American star, facing none other than his childhood idol, Novak Djokovic. For most, it would be a moment filled with nerves. For Nishesh, now 20, it was the culmination of years of determination. A milestone whose foundation wasn’t laid under stadium lights, but in a warm household in Newport Beach, where the aroma of Indian spices mingled with the clatter of tennis racquets and echoes of childhood dreams.

The young tennis star’s ascent is shaped by family, culture, and grit. Its an Indian-American journey written in tennis scores.

Nishesh Basavareddy

A family that swings together

“I started playing tennis when I was three,” Nishesh recalled in an interview. “My dad played recreationally. He always played with us.”

The Basavareddy home was a place of discipline, academics, and spirited sibling rivalry. His older brother Nishant, who competed in the same age group, remembered clearly: “He was already better than me when he was seven, and I was ten.”

They played doubles. They entered the same tournaments. But when scheduled to face each other in official matches, the family often withdrew. However, Nishesh’s competitive fire burned early. It didn’t matter to him if it was Nishant or anyone else. He wanted to win either way.

“I was always in the top three in my year,” Nishesh said. “I thought about pro tennis as a dream, but it felt far away.” The groundwork, though, was already in motion.

The dual cultural upbringing

What makes Nishesh’s story so resonant is not just where he’s headed but where he comes from. “My dad’s the one that made the move from India to here,” he shared. “Maybe he didn’t have that many resources, but he worked hard his whole life to give my brother and me opportunities to play tennis, which I really appreciate.”

Nishesh Basavareddy with his parents and brother, Nishant

Both his parents hail from Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, and moved to San Francisco in 1999 before settling in Indiana. The household they built carried the soul of India: “My favourite aspect of Indian culture is the food. When I’m home, my mom cooks every day. I eat Indian food most nights,” mentioned Nishesh.

The family watched Indian movies, celebrated festivals, and stayed rooted in Telugu traditions. “We grew more Americanized at school,” said his brother Nishant, “but there’s still the food, the movies, the music. These are the things that keep us very Indian.” While for the parents, their kids’ dream is their dream. They happily support whatever they do.

Stanford, setbacks, and the leap

Nishesh joined Standford University in 2022. However, by the time the recruiting process in the institution’s tennis team began, he was facing challenges. “I was injured for a lot of that period,” he said. “Coaches had to take a bit of a gamble on me.” Stanford took the bet, and it paid off.

In 2024, Nishesh Basavareddy was named Pac-12 Singles Player of the Year and earned All-American honours for the second time, an elite designation awarded to the top-performing college athletes in the United States. That same year, he turned pro. “The end goal was always to turn pro,” he admitted. “It was just a matter of when.”

He surpassed expectations: two ATP Challenger titles, a 41–13 season record, and a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 99 by June 2025. His performance earned him a wildcard into the Australian Open.

Facing his idol on the world stage

“Playing Djokovic is something I’ll never forget,” Nishesh said about his debut at the 2025 Australian Open. “That walkout, with everyone clapping and then seeing the 10-time champion across the net – it was unreal.”

Nishesh Basavareddy with Novak Djokovics

Djokovic returned the respect. “He was the better player for a set and a half,” the Serbian legend said after the match, applauding the young player’s poise and performance. “I appreciated those words a lot,” said Nishesh.

Off the court, the recognition continued. “We were at the Melbourne Botanical Gardens,” his breother Nishant recalled, “and someone stopped him to say they loved his attitude on court. That’s what makes us proud.”

The diaspora’s legacy

While Indian-Americans have carved out legacies in fields like tech and medicine, their presence in professional tennis has been sparse. With young talents like Nishesh and few other young champions entering the global stage, a new chapter is emerging. Their ascent marks a powerful shift where Indian-American athletes are not just participating in elite tennis, but shaping its future.

One of the early believers in Nishesh’s potential was Rajeev Ram, a decorated American tennis player and former world No. 1 in men’s doubles, known for his consistency and longevity on the pro tour. A six-time Grand Slam champion and two-time Olympic silver medalist, he has set a high bar for Indian-American excellence in the sport and is known as an athlete who blazed his own path on the professional circuit.

“I remember Brian Smith, my coach, saying ‘I think I got a pretty special one here,’” Rajeev recalled about Nishesh. Both of them shared the same coach. “He just soaked up information. There haven’t been many of us in pro tennis. I hope he can say he looked up to me the way I looked up to others.”

Nishesh did. “Rajeev kind of mentored me from junior to college to pro tennis. Seeing someone who had the same journey and made it. It gave my family peace of mind. It showed me it could be done.”

Nishesh Basavareddy with Rajeev Ram in 2017 | Photo Credit: Smith Tennis

Looking ahead, playing big

Now ranked World No. 99 and coming off a semifinal run in Auckland, Nishesh travels with his brother, competes against idols he once only saw on TV, and carries with him the strength of two worlds.

“It means a lot to do this as my job now,” he said. “I didn’t expect it to come this fast. But I’m really enjoying it and looking forward to the future.”

From the schoolbooks and video games of his Indiana childhood, to Grand Slam courts and center-stage applause, Nishesh Basavareddy has only just begun. While his path winds through global tennis, every swing of his racquet echoes a story rooted in tradition, sharpened by sacrifice, and propelled by belief in his abilities.