He may have a fear of heights – as revealed in a ‘Get to know’ feature earlier this year – but Nishesh Basavareddy’s lofty position in the ITF junior world rankings is anything but scary.

The American teenager is firmly ensconced within the top 20 of the boys’ standings and currently occupies the No. 18 slot following a reassuring return to form during the early months of 2022.

Basavareddy won back-to-back tournaments in February, at J1 Porto Alegre and then JA Criciuma, with the latter being the biggest title of his career and fuelling a 56-place rankings surge.

The “best two weeks of my life” was how the 16-year-old, who was part of the victorious United States team at the 2019 ITF World Junior Tennis Finals in Prostejov, described his output in Brazil, although there is a wider context to his success.

“Last year, I was unable to play many tournaments because I was injured, so coming into this year I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Basavareddy told itftennis.com.

“It was really nice to prove to myself that I was playing at a high level again after coming back from injury. Those two weeks really were unbelievable. Going into those tournaments, I didn’t expect to win one of them, let alone both.

“I just wanted to see how I would do against really good competition from around the world. From there, my confidence has just increased and hopefully I can keep that going. Those two weeks were unbelievable.”

🇨🇿 Lucie Havlickova and 🇺🇸 Nishesh Basavareddy claimed the biggest titles of their careers at JA Criciuma this weekend

Full recap of the Banana Bowl ⬇️

— ITF (@ITFTennis) February 28, 2022

The injuries which Basavareddy makes casual reference to were in fact more significant. In 2016, while aged just 11, he underwent knee surgery after dislocating his kneecap and incurring a cartilage problem which sidelined him for almost nine months.

Two years later, following an impressive campaign the season before, injury heartbreak struck again as he tore his meniscus which meant another spell on the sidelines, this time for more than 15 months.

Further surgery was required last year after his meniscus tore again, which limited Newport Beach-born Basavareddy to just one junior tournament all season – April’s JB1 event in San Diego.

“It was hugely frustrating because I felt that every time I came back and was gaining momentum, playing better and improving, there was a setback and all that progress was lost,” said Basavareddy.

“I had doubts about whether I could get back to previous levels or get back at all. I definitely had doubts lingering at the back of my mind, but I tried to push them away. The feelings of wanting to get back and being successful again were far greater.

“I tried to adopt a positive slant. I was still young and had time to get stronger, while it was a chance to focus on other areas.”

Idol growing up 👉 @DjokerNole
Biggest inspiration 👉 @delpotrojuan

Get to know 16-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy of the United States, who in the last month has won the two biggest titles of his career 👇

— ITF (@ITFTennis) March 10, 2022

His time away from the court allowed Basavareddy to adopt a more analytical approach to his game, observing and evaluating the sport from angles which he had never previously considered nor explored. Those findings now form part of an expanded and ever-improving armoury.  

“I wasn’t able to play but I still think I was able to find ways to improve in that time,” added Basavareddy. “I was able to analyse a lot of professional tennis and go to other junior tournaments with my brother and continue to be in the tennis circle.

“I watched a lot of tennis as you can always learn things. I feel one of my abilities is analysing the game on court in real time and knowing what my opponents’ strengths and weaknesses are and how I can exploit them.

“This skill has probably improved by just watching so much tennis over the years and seeing what strategies and patterns different players use when they are playing different opponents. In fact, that skill has definitely improved by watching so much tennis when I was injured.”

The plan is for Basavareddy to go to college in the fall – a student at Carmel High School currently, Stanford is his likely destination where he intends to major in computer science – before potentially turning his attention towards a professional tennis career.  

In preparation for such an eventuality, he has dipped his toe into the professional ranks this year, contesting three tournaments and recording his first match-win at M25 Weston, FL in January. It has given the teenager a glimpse into what may lie ahead.

“The level between juniors and pro is maybe not too different, it is more they are point in, point out,” he said. “Maybe in juniors you will get a few more easy games.

“If you are up in the first set, maybe they will just let it go, or maybe go away mentally and have some mental lapses in the second set. I feel that in the pros they are more in it, and also physically stronger throughout the match.

“Overall, I think my level is there. I just need more experience in professional tournaments. I feel like I am playing at a good level, but I definitely feel like I have a lot more potential. Hopefully that will come with getting stronger and continuing my fitness on and off court.

“I have a lot to improve on and I am a work in progress. I am looking more at long-term goals and a long-term process rather than short term, but I definitely feel I am playing well right now.”

A little more……

Basavareddy on his Indian heritage – both of his parents are from South India, moving to California in 1999:

“It is really important. My brother and I are first generation kids and we go by values they have over there – humble, respectful and hard working. Those values are really important as is just being a good person overall. Also, it helps with my tennis that I will never be complacent and never be happy with where I am. I will always feel the need to improve. Both of my parents are really hard working and that has been instilled in me.”

Basavareddy on why Novak Djokovic is his WhatsApp profile picture:

 “I put that up a couple of years ago and I guess I haven’t changed it. But I have always just loved his game, his technique, his mental strength and his attitude. Everything is so sound and he has obviously won a lot. I like to watch a bunch of players, but he has probably been my favourite. All the top guys work so hard to get where they are and they are an inspiration. But, for me, Djokovic has been my favourite player for many years.”