Status: ATP 220.
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 170
DOB: August 3, 2001 In: San Diego, CA
First Tennis Memory: Maybe when I was ten to twelve playing some local junior tournaments in San Diego. I think I started playing when I was like three.
Tennis Heroes: Growing up I was always idolizing Federer and watching him play.
Tennis Inspirations: Probably Federer and Nadal. Always grew up watching them, watching all their high-level matches.
Current Car: Old Mercedes Benz 360, white, 2000 or 1999.
Last Book Read: …I don’t remember [smiles].
First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: I think I met (David) Ferrer In Indian Wells one time at the hotel when I was twelve or thirteen. Took a picture with him.
Greatest Career Moment (so far): Delray Beach Open this year, quarterfinals (beat Norrie and Vesely, lost to Nishioka). A really good week obviously.
Most Painful Moment: Losing first round in Newport Beach [smiles]… (61 67 46 to Donald Young in January 2020).
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: I like to play golf a lot. I also like to play and watch basketball and football a lot.
Funny Tennis Memory: Maybe playing against one of my close friends in junior and maybe a good point of something, a little smile back and forth to each other [smiles].
Closest Tennis Friends: Obviously all the guys at the University of Virginia on the team right now (Brandon played at UV last year). I was really close with them. And pro tour-wise, probably say hi to (Frances) Tiafoe a lot. And all the other Americans.
Funniest Players Encountered: Tiafoe is pretty funny. A lot of the guys on the University of Virginia team are pretty funny.
Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: Just the overall athletic ability you need. Just the mentality that you need to play well, to compete well.
Pre-Match Feeling: Not too much feeling. Just try to stay focused out there. Sometimes maybe a little nervous, at times maybe coming out to the big stage. But just try to stay calm and focused.
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: Maybe a couple of years ago when I played Indian Wells Masters 1000. I lost the first set 60 in the first round in like twenty minutes. When I was sixteen. (Against who?) It was (Vasek) Pospisil.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cookies and cream.
People Qualities Most Admired: I like to see genuine people. Really smart people. Friendly. Usually calm, casual…like me.
Brandon Nakashima · Delray Beach Open · San Diego
Scoop Malinowski · August 19, 2020 at 10:59 am
Nakashima is the most impressive young American for me since Roddick. Solid technique, assassin like focus, veteran Sampras like maturity, and natural ability to compete well against far more experienced opponents. A quick transition to the pro game from junior and college – QF of the first ATP main draw he played in Delray. I’ve watched him play several matches and practice and he carries himself like an established pro already, not at all in awe of the other famous players, he knows he belongs. He knows he’s played Querrey Fritz McDonald Johnson dead even in practice and even beaten them. Sky is the limit for Nakashima.