Nishesh Basavareddy To Meet Djokovic in Clash of Generations

In January 2025, Novak Djokovic will compete in his twentieth Australian Open. In May 2025, Nishesh Basavareddy will simply turn 20 years old. Despite these differences, the two will meet in the first round of this year’s first Grand Slam.

Welcome to the Big Time, kid.

Paths To Melbourne

Djokovic is traveling his well-worn path to Melbourne Park. He is seeded No. 7 and is the most decorated active male tennis player in the world. The 10-time Australian Open champion won his first title a few months before Basavareddy’s… 3rd birthday!

As a 2024 semifinalist and the current world No. 7 player, Djokovic needed no help qualifying for his spot in the tournament.

In sharp contrast, the American teenager arrives in Melbourne as a first time Grand Slam main draw participant. After stellar play in the fall of 2024, Basavarreddy turned professional and accepted a wild card entry into this year’s event.

More on Basavareddy

As a world superstar, Djokovic has lived in the public eye for decades. Basavareddy’s fame, if it can yet be called that, has existed for a few months.

A Stanford University student and amateur player for most of 2024, the teen had great success at the Challenger level of the professional game in the fall of 2024. He reached three Challenger finals and won titles at both the Tiburon and Puerta Vallarata events.

The American sensation followed up his Challenger level success by turning professional in December and accepting entrance the 2024 NextGen Finals where he went 1-2 in pool play matches.

Onto Oceania

Now ranked inside the top 150 in the world, Basavareddy kicked off the 2025 season by qualifying for and playing in two ATP 250 events.

He was knocked out in the first round of the Brisbane International. He followed that debut with a run to the semifinals in the ASB Classic in Auckland. Coincidentally, he was eliminated in both events by French veteran Gael Monfils.

Contrast in First Round

Basavareddy brings three ATP-level match wins to Melbourne. Djokovic possesses a staggering 1,126 ATP level match wins. Djokovic’s career prize money exceeds $185 million, Basavareddy, not even close to $1 million.

Yet, age and statistics are not counted on the courts at a Grand Slam. The first man, or kid, to claim three sets will move onto the second round. Time to play.