Novak Djokovic and Nishesh Basavareddy share an interesting connection beyond being first round opponents at the 2025 Australian Open.

Indian-origin American tennis player Nishesh Basavareddy is just 19 years old and is yet to play a full ATP Tour season. He has suddenly gained popularity after he was drawn to play 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the opening round of the Australian Open.

Nishesh Basavareddy will take on the legendary Novak Djokovic in the first round of his inaugural Australian Open - and the challenge has him pretty excited.

Australian Open begins January 12 in Melbourne, and the draws for the men’s and women’s singles are intriguing — and have thrown up some blockbuster first-round matches. The Athletic’s tennis writers,

Defending champion Jannik Sinner and 10-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic have landed in opposite sides of the draw for the season’s first major, ruling out a replay of last year’s semifinal

Here are some of the top men at the Australian Open, which starts at Melbourne Park on Sunday morning local time (Saturday night EST), with money-line odds via BetMGM Sportsbook: Jannik Sinner Seeding: 1 Career-Best Ranking: 1 Country: Italy Age: 23 2024 Record: 73-6 2024 Titles: 8 Career Titles: 18 Grand Slam Titles: 2 — Australian Open (1: 2024),

Novak Djokovic launches his latest bid for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title against US wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy.

Novak Djokovic has revealed his father is putting pressure on him to retire from tennis as the 2025 Australian Open rapidly approaches. The Serb, who failed to win a major in 2024, will be hoping to secure glory Down Under - having previously done so on 10 occasions over the years.