It is very likely that we will see the name of Brandon Nakashima in ATP charts in the not too distant future. Located in the top-170 of the ranking, the American is a gem to be polished, yet he shows an unusual maturity for his age in each intervention on the track. With a balanced tennis, solid and a few strokes that seem to flow naturally, the raw material is there to achieve great results.
2020 has been a hard training for Brandon. After signing a magnificent start to the season, reaching his best result at ATP level (the Quarterfinals at Delray Beach), the 19-year-old player encountered an unprecedented situation. The pandemic disrupted his plans and the configuration of the circuit forced him to go through the tracks of beaten earth in Europe, where the results did not follow. Despite this, Nakashima recovered and showed his competitive character to end the year with a Title at the Orlando Challenger. Of his season, his ambitions and the experience that 2020 has given him spoke for Tennis.com.
– Goals for 2021: “My main goal is to keep improving and developing my game from a technical and tactical point of view. I definitely have to improve my physical form. I want to take my game to the next level, I would like to continue improving my ranking, do well in the Grand Slams and I hope to get my first ATP title in 2021. I’m really looking forward to the next season. “
– His first Grand Slams experience (he fell against Zverev in the 2nd round of the Us Open): “Getting an invitation to play the Us Open was an incredible experience. Having such a close match against Zverev (he lost in four sets) gave me a lot of confidence and made me see that I can compete against the top players. It was beautiful. But I knew when moving to professionalism would have good and bad moments in my career.
After all the success at the beginning of the year and at the Us Open, it was difficult for me to have to go to play several consecutive tournaments in Europe. I did not get the results I wanted, but for that you have your coaches and your family, to help you in the most difficult moments. They motivated me and told me that I had to believe in the process. That was exactly what I did “
– His victory at the Orlando Challenger to end the season: “I put a lot of pressure on myself, even though I knew I was going to start 2021 in good position already. It was great to finish the year with a title and improve my ranking, to move towards next season in a positive direction. I had a Clear game plan for each opponent and I played well in every game. “
– His relationship with his coaches: “It was an incredible experience meeting Pat Cash all this year. It’s really nice to be able to spend time with a Grand Slam champion, I learned a lot from him, both on and off the track. We decided to take different paths but I wish him the best.
As for Dusan (Vemic), he has definitely played a huge role in my role this season. He was with me most of the time during the pandemic. The three of us work very hard on my game. Dusan has also given me a lot of life lessons along the way. “
– Train with Novak Djokovic: “I’ve heard from Dusan and a lot more people that my playing style is similar to Novak’s, it’s good to know. I was able to train with him for a week, after he won the Cincinnati tournament in New York. To get to know him and get to know him. Seeing how he performs on the track for so many days in a row was a magnificent experience.
It reaffirmed my thinking that I can compete against the best. He continued to invite me every day, and gave me some tips on my game after our last training session. He mentioned to me that whenever he wants I am welcome to train with him, either in preseason or when we are both in the same tournament. That was very nice of him. What he told me about my tennis is similar to what Dusan sometimes tells me, but when he comes from number one in the world you perceive him slightly differently. “
– How do you define yourself as a player?: “My personality is to stay calm in decisive moments. I think I play better when there is more pressure. I was born with that. It is positive to have it when I find myself in very tight matches. I think I am capable of accepting the challenge and being up to it. height, I can take the pressure and play very well in tense moments. “
– Ancient parties, your best allies: “I always like to watch games from the past, or some current ones. Whether I am the one playing or other professionals, all of this helps me to understand the game better. I can focus on seeing what I have improved and what I still need to improve. I also enjoy watching Grand Slam or Masters 1000 matches live, I enjoy sitting in the stands and watching the best. All young players learn by watching them on video, but I may be one of the few who really enjoys watching them live when I have free time. “
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