Player Features
After watching Federer & Djokovic as a child, Nakashima in Indian Wells spotlight
Nakashima discusses matchup with Zverev
March 08, 2026
Luke Hales/Getty Images
Brandon Nakashima is 0-5 towards Alexander Zverev .
By Andrew Eichenholz
California native Brandon Nakashima remembers attending the BNP Paribas Open as a child, working across the grounds and sitting close to the highest of Stadium 1 to look at a number of the greatest gamers in the world.
“I watched Federer, Djokovic,” Nakashima instructed ATPTour.com. “I watched them play some great matches. Those are definitely some of the special memories for me here.”
Now Nakashima is the one creating these recollections for the youngsters in the stadium. The American will attempt to make a memorable one for the followers Sunday when he tries to upset two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev in the third spherical of the season’s first ATP Masters 1000 occasion.
“It’s obviously a tough matchup for me. He’s beaten me every single time we’ve played so far, so obviously I need to try something different to change that,” stated Nakashima, who’s 0-5 in his Lexus ATP Head2Headvert sequence with Zverev. “But it’s going to be an exciting match for sure. It’s the first time I’ll be playing him in this tournament in front of the home fans, so that’s something I’ll feel a little more and I’ll maybe be able to get some more energy from that.”
Zverev has swept all of their earlier conferences, however they haven’t been solely one-sided affairs. At instances, Nakashima has gained the higher hand, just for Zverev to search out his recreation, spin his net to neutralise Nakashima’s offense and surge to victory.
“He has a great serve, one of the best serves in the game right now. And I think overall from the baseline he’s just super solid, doesn’t have many holes,” Nakashima stated. “If I want to give myself opportunities or give myself a chance to win, I think I have to play my game and be able to take a little bit more risk out there, go for my shots and do what I do best.”
There have been instances in latest weeks when Nakashima has proven the sport with which he climbed to a career-high No. 29 in the PIF ATP Rankings. In Acapulco, the American had management of his semi-final on the ATP 500 towards Frances Tiafoe earlier than his countryman was capable of shift the momentum.
“I’m focusing on what I can control out there,” Nakashima stated. “I think my serve is definitely one of my biggest assets in my game, it’s something that I rely on a lot. And I think from the baseline, of course being super solid, but at the same time trying to be a little more aggressive out there, come to the net a little bit more and add a little bit of variety.”
With a 2-18 document towards Top-10 opponents, that is one other alternative for Nakashima to indicate the world what he’s able to on one of many grandest levels in the game.
“I always enjoy any time you get to play in these big stadiums, it’s always a great feeling,” Nakashima stated. “You’re playing against the best players in the world with the fans’ support, it’s always great. Even moreso playing here, my home tournament, I think it just adds to the feeling for me.”
One 12 months in the past, Nakashima reached the fourth spherical on the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the primary time. It was among the finest showings of his profession and a nice reminiscence at a location the place he has made loads of them. Now the 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals champion is able to attempt to make one other splash in the California desert.
“From being a little kid to coming to watch the pros to playing in the event, it’s definitely my favourite time of the year,” Nakashima stated. “I always coming back here, playing in front of the home fans and my friends’ and family’s support.”
