Welcome to "Next Up," where USOpen.org will showcase rising stars on the ATP and WTA tours who could be in line to make a splash to remember at the 2022 US Open. Today, the spotlight shifts to American Brandon Nakashima. At Wimbledon, in his first fourth-round Grand Slam match, he pushed eventual finalist Nick Kyrgios to five sets. What’s in store for the 21-year-old at the US Open?
For less-composed players, the moment would have crushed them. Second week of a Grand Slam. One of the sport’s most historic courts. Across the net, one of the most difficult players to face in all of men’s tennis.
But for American Brandon Nakashima, playing Aussie Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round of Wimbledon on Centre Court wasn’t a debilitating moment. Rather, it was an opportunity for the then-20-year-old to showcase his veteran-like composure. Playing in his first fourth-round match at a Grand Slam, Nakashima pushed the mercurial Kyrgios to five sets before falling to the eventual Wimbledon finalist.
“I think growing up, I’ve kind of always had that sense of calmness, whether it was on the court or off the court. Just not getting too caught up in things and just staying relaxed and calm most of the time,” Nakashima tells USOpen.org.
“I think that has helped me a lot, that I’ve been able to hold that as I grew up, and even now, especially playing on those big stages against those big players. Not getting too high or too low in those moments, and just being able to stay calm out there and just stay focused on my game as much as possible.”
Nakashima credits his parents for helping instill that attitude in him. His composure helped him earn his first Top 20 win against then-No. 16 Denis Shapovalov at Wimbledon and reach a new career-high ranking of No. 49 on July 11.
Nakashima is building on his 2021 that saw him make back-to-back ATP finals as a 19-year-old, becoming the youngest American to reach multiple finals since Andy Roddick in 2001-02.
“When I turned professional [in 2019], I kind of knew that I had the game to compete with all these top guys. It was just a matter of gaining these experiences and developing physically out there. It’s nice to see it’s all paying off quickly,” said Nakashima, who played a year of collegiate tennis at the University of Virginia before turning pro. “I think it’s only going to get better with all these experiences, and my game is just going to keep improving.”
Next on his list: his first ATP title, his best showing yet at the US Open and a Top 20 year-end ranking. Nakashima made the second round at the US Open in 2020 and 2021.
He will have decades of ATP experience to lean on as he pursues those new career-bests: Nakashima recently started working with Franco Davin and Eduardo Infantino. The pair have coached the likes of 2004 French Open champion Gaston Gaudio, former No. 3 David Nalbandian and 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro.
“It’s been great so far with these guys. Their level of experience out there on the tour is so high," Nakashima said, "and on the court, they bring such a good attitude and positivity out there."
The trio will focus on Nakashima’s fitness and strength, as well as helping him play more aggressively. Those improvements could be all that’s separating Nakashima from another second week showing at a Grand Slam, and another opportunity to show his uncustomary coolness.
“Obviously it’s been a great year so far. It doesn’t matter, results wise. Just a matter of, keep developing my game, having these new experiences at these big tournaments, playing on these big stages,” Nakashima said.
“Having some good matches at the French Open and then also at Wimbledon this year, I think it expanded my experience and confidence really more than anything. Just being able to know that I can compete at these high-level tournaments and make deep runs at these big events.”
