Nishesh Basavareddy on Stanford, the Pro Tour, and the Legacy He Hopes to Leave
Nishesh Basavareddy is back in the winner's circle. The 21-year-old won the Tennis Warehouse Open in San Diego as the top seed, beating Brazil's Igor Marcondes 7-5, 6-4 in the final. It was his fourth Challenger title and his second of 2026, following his win in Savannah in April.
The tournament was hosted at Barnes Tennis Center, home of Youth Tennis San Diego, where AAPITA board member Ryan Redondo serves as CEO. Ryan sat down with Nishesh after his win for a conversation about the path that brought him here.
Nishesh's journey started in junior tennis, where he won the 2022 US Open boys' doubles title with Ozan Baris. He went on to play at Stanford before turning pro, and this year he upset fellow American Taylor Fritz in the first round of the French Open. In the interview, he reflects on the transition from college to the pro tour, what being Asian American has meant throughout his career, and the legacy he hopes to leave for the next generation of players.
Watch the full conversation below:
