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

No. 7-ranked Novak Djokovic will take on No. 133 Nishesh Basavareddy in the Australian Open Round of 128 on Saturday, January 11.In his most recent outing, Djokovic lost to Alexei Popyrin 4-6,

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.

Moments after Nishesh Basavareddy reached his first ATP semifinal at the Auckland Classic on Thursday, the American teenager named Novak Djokovic as his favourite player and said he had modelled his game after the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

The Serbian alleged in an interview that food he was served in Melbourne led to him having high levels of lead and mercury.

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.