Nishesh Basavareddy Shocks Taylor Fritz in French Open Upset

Nishesh Basavareddy, a rising star in tennis, made headlines by defeating World No. 8 Taylor Fritz in the first round of the French Open. This victory marks a significant milestone in Basavareddy's career, showcasing his talent and determination. With Indian roots and a promising trajectory in the sport, he has quickly become a player to watch. Discover more about his journey and what this win means for his future in tennis.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 26, 2026, 10:09 IST

Nishesh Basavareddy's Remarkable Victory

Nishesh Basavareddy, who received a wild card entry into the French Open, made headlines by defeating World No. 8 Taylor Fritz in a stunning first-round match. Fritz, returning from an injury, showed signs of struggle, which Basavareddy capitalized on, despite being ranked 156. The 21-year-old displayed remarkable skill and determination, taking an early 2-0 lead after winning two tie-breakers. Although Fritz fought back to claim the third set 7-6, Basavareddy raised his game in the final set, winning decisively at 6-1 to advance to the next round.

About Nishesh Basavareddy

Basavareddy has Indian roots, with his parents hailing from Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, before relocating to the United States in 1999. Born in Newport Beach, California, in 2005, he was introduced to tennis by his father at a young age and quickly became a standout junior player. He achieved a career-high junior ranking of No. 3 and won the boys' doubles title at the junior US Open with partner Ozan Baris. However, his progress faced setbacks due to knee injuries in 2016 and 2018. After recovering, he experienced a resurgence in his career, particularly in 2024, when he clinched Challenger titles in Puerto Vallarta and Tiburon, and finished as runner-up in four other events. His strong performances allowed him to break into the top 150 by November 2024 and qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, where he secured his first ATP-level victory against Juncheng Shang from China.

Continuing his momentum into 2025, Basavareddy reached the main draw of the Brisbane International after defeating Borna Gojo and former top-10 player Lucas Pouille in qualifying, though he lost to Gael Monfils in a close three-set match. In Auckland, he achieved significant victories over Francisco Comesana, defending champion Alejandro Tabilo, and Alex Michelsen, reaching his first ATP semifinal and becoming the youngest American to do so since Reilly Opelka in 2016. His Grand Slam debut came at the 2025 Australian Open, where he surprised many by taking a set off Novak Djokovic. By June 2025, he entered the ATP top 100 ahead of Wimbledon and later participated in the main draw of the US Open that same year.