Dreams truly can come true, and for young American tennis star Nishesh Basavareddy, this is a momentous occasion. At the 2025 Australian Open (AO), Basavareddy has been handed a dream debut by drawing none other than 10-time AO champion Novak Djokovic in the first round. As a long-time admirer of Djokovic, Basavareddy has previously expressed his deep respect for the Serbian legend, saying, “My favorite has always been Djokovic. I’ve looked up to a lot of different players and modeled my game after a lot of players, but he’s been my favorite.” Now, as he faces his idol on one of tennis’s grandest stages, Basavareddy has revealed another dream beyond this matchup.
During a recent interview with ATP Tour.com, Basavareddy shared his thoughts on a hypothetical dinner party and named three people he’d love to invite: Novak Djokovic, LeBron James, and Roger Federer. Reflecting on the influence of these figures, he said, “Three great athletes that I can ask a lot of questions to.”
Basavareddy has already had a brush with one of these icons, Roger Federer. In March 2024, Federer made a surprise visit to Stanford University, where Basavareddy had the chance to meet him. Recalling the meeting during a December 2024 podcast, Basavareddy revealed the awe of that moment: “We were joking around that none of us blinked for 10 minutes.” Federer also shared advice on fitness, emphasizing a less-is-more approach with weights and focusing on bodyweight exercises. This encounter left a lasting impression on the young American.
Basavareddy’s admiration for Djokovic extends beyond just fandom. When asked about a memorable Djokovic match, he instantly cited the 2019 Wimbledon final, where Djokovic triumphed over Federer in a five-set classic. As he now prepares to play against Djokovic, the young American hopes to make his own mark by creating a memorable match at the 2025 AO.
Djokovic, for his part, is not taking the match lightly. Speaking in a pre-match press conference, he acknowledged Basavareddy’s talent, noting, “I think he’s very quick. He’s a very talented player. He’s got great hands. He’s very dynamic. He can serve well, hit spots. Just a very complete game overall.” While Djokovic admitted he didn’t know much about Basavareddy until recently, he emphasized the importance of respecting his opponent and approaching the match seriously.
Basavareddy, however, is undeterred by the challenge of facing a legend. Reflecting on similar matches, he mentioned the tough fight Croatian teenager Dino Prizmic gave Djokovic in the first round of last year’s AO. “Matches like that definitely give me hope,” Basavareddy remarked. He views the early rounds of a Grand Slam as an opportunity to challenge top players and is determined to seize the moment.
Djokovic’s first tournament of the 2025 season ended in an unexpected loss to Reilly Opelka at the Brisbane International, which has added intrigue to this matchup. Djokovic noted that Basavareddy would likely be “really pumped to make a statement” and expressed his intention to relish the moment of sharing the court with a rising star while aiming for victory.
The first-round clash between Djokovic and Basavareddy is set to be a battle of generations. As Djokovic begins his quest for an 11th AO title, all eyes will be on whether the young American can deliver a historic upset.