From hitting with Rajeev Ram to lunches with Andrew Luck, get to know Carmel grad Nishesh Basavareddy ahead of Australian Open match vs Novak Djokovic

Nishesh Basavareddy stunned Novak Djokovic in the 2025 Australian Open first round, citing Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as his tennis inspirations.

Here is everything you need to know about American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy, who is set to face 10-time champion Novak Djokovic in the first round of Australian Open 2025.

Nishesh Basavareddy’s dream will come true when he takes on Novak Djokovic in the first round of the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday. Who is Nishesh Basavareddy?

Nishesh conquered the USTA Australian Open Wild Card Challenge with three good results in Charlottesville, Knoxville and Champaign, punching his Australian Open ticket. He reached two finals and collected one semi-final to top the Wild Card Challenge standings.

Novak Djokovic was seriously rattled early on by inspired American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy but rallied for a 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory on Monday to keep his bid for an 11th Australian Open title alive into the second round.

Nishesh Basavareddy put up a brave fight against the 10-time winner of the Australian Open Novak Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena.