“I’m Not Sure Why They Took a Liking to Me, But Hopefully They Can Keep Going” — Nishesh Basavareddy on the Thunderous Reception from the Roland-Garros Crowd

Minutes after completing one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 Roland-Garros first round, Nishesh Basavareddy sat down for a press conference to reflect on his stunning victory over World No. 8 Taylor Fritz — talking through the match, the crowd, his clay court journey, his love of the dropshot, and what comes next.

Q: How does it feel to get your first win here at Roland-Garros?

Nishesh: I was leaving a lot to chance, but I didn’t have much experience on clay. I don’t know if I was really expecting this — I still thought I would have a good chance today if I played my game. That’s what I did, so really happy.

Q: How did the match unfold for you? When did you start thinking you could do it?

Nishesh: I was pretty confident before the match, just because he hasn’t had so many matches recently. I felt like I could raise my level in a match like this. I would say midway through the second set, when it was getting closer to the tiebreak, I was like — I can get a two set lead here. That’s when you start thinking a little bit about the finish line, but then you have to go back to game by game and not get ahead of yourself.

Q: The crowd was screaming your name. What was that like?

Nishesh: That’s something I definitely wasn’t expecting, but the atmosphere was crazy — especially at the end of the second set and again in the middle of the fourth set. Probably the best atmosphere I’ve had. Most people were cheering my name, so yeah, I’m not quite sure why they took a liking to me, but hopefully they can keep going.

Q: After the third set — you got broken, broke back, and then missed a match point. How did you recover so quickly and raise your level so much in the fourth?

Nishesh: I took a bathroom break and tried to reset there. Honestly though, I thought I’d played a pretty good third set. I just had a couple of chances, especially at four all, and missed some easier shots. In the tiebreak I was just hanging on by a thread. I thought if I just kept holding serve and kept creating chances on return — and the conditions were getting a little slower — I got a break early in the fourth set and that gave me a lot of confidence.

Q: The dropshots were so effective today. Have you been using them this much in the lead-up events, or was it something you realised was working specifically today?

Nishesh: It was definitely a part of the game plan today — I just kept getting more and more confidence in that shot as it kept coming and working. He was so far back, especially on return, and I learned to move him up and back, make the match more linear instead of side to side. After the match I heard I won 25 of 27 dropshot points, which I didn’t think was that many — but it was obviously working really well. It’s probably my favourite shot.

Q: How much clay court experience do you actually have?

Nishesh: In juniors, the USTA does quite a good job of making us train a lot on it, so I did quite a lot then. But when I went to college I didn’t play on clay for three years. Last year I played maybe six or seven events but it didn’t go so great. This year has been a little better — I’ve been playing on clay for the last two and a half months. I think each week you just keep learning more and more about the patterns you want to play.

Q: How did you feel when you saw your draw — wildcard against a top 10 player?

Nishesh: Of course he’s a top 10 player and has had so many great results, but I think it made it a little easier in the sense that I’m completely the underdog with no real expectations on me. It’s not really a classic clay court matchup — you’re not going to have a lot of long rallies, conditions were going to be hot, a lot of serving involved. In terms of strategy I thought it was going to be quite straightforward. I was also excited to get a bigger court, and I think that’s kind of why I was looking forward to it.

Q: What made you proudest of your game today, and what about your mentality?

Nishesh: Just the way I bounced back after the third set, and also in the tiebreaks — winning key points, big points against a player like that. I raised my level most of the time in the bigger moments, especially on the serve. That’s what I was most happy about. Mentally, I just kept my focus throughout. Someone like that will keep raising his level and asking you questions, and I wanted to be able to respond.

Q: Where did you learn French — and can you talk about your ball toss, because it looked a little different out there?

Nishesh: For the ball toss — I think it used to be even more pronounced. When I see pictures it looks like I release it a little funny, but it just kind of came with me since I was younger. For French, I was working with a French coach earlier this year — I took classes for five months. I’ve done them less recently but I’d say I’m conversational, so it was good to use it here.

Q: What are your biggest goals for the future?

Nishesh: That’s a pretty big question. Right now I just want to see how far I can go and be the best player I can. Of course that means having deep runs in Grand Slams, being ranked top 20, top 10 — I don’t know where it’ll take me, but I’ll try to do everything I can.

Q: How has the adjustment from college to the pro tour been?

Nishesh: In the beginning everything was going really well — winning a lot of matches, the Challengers, a good breakout at my first 250 last year. Things slowed down a little when I switched surfaces to clay and grass. I definitely didn’t expect that, but I think every player has their own journey. It taught me a lot about who I need around me, what scheduling works for me, what I need to improve. It was eye-opening to go through a rough patch and then figure out how to improve again. Now I feel like I’m on the right trajectory.

Q: Can you talk about your coaching setup — your relationship with Cervara ending, and what’s in place now?

Nishesh: Gilles (Cervara) and I ended after Houston this year. Since then the USTA has been helping me — Goldfein and Nathan have both been travelling with me the last two months or so. I’ve also been training more at the USTA facility in Orlando. So I have a lot of support there.

Q: Any thoughts on the next match against Michelsen or Shevchenko? Any preference?

Nishesh: They’re both good players. Shevchenko is probably a little more of a clay court player, but Michelsen I’ve known for a long time — we’ve played maybe six times in our lives, a couple on the pro tour. I definitely know his game well and it’d be fun to play him again. But no real preference honestly.

Nishesh Basavareddy moves into the second round at Roland-Garros, where either Michelsen or Shevchenko awaits. After what he produced on Sunday, neither will be taking him lightly.