Player Features
After watching Federer & Djokovic as a kid, Nakashima in Indian Wells spotlight
Nakashima discusses matchup with Zverev
March 08, 2026
Luke Hales/Getty Images
Brandon Nakashima is 0-5 against Alexander Zverev .
By Andrew Eichenholz
California local Brandon Nakashima remembers attending the BNP Paribas Open as a kid, running around the grounds and sitting near the top of Stadium 1 to watch some of the best players in the world.
“I watched Federer, Djokovic,” Nakashima told 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 those memories for the kids in the stadium. The American will try to make a memorable one for the fans Sunday when he tries to upset two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev in the third round of the season’s first ATP Masters 1000 event.
“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,” said Nakashima, who is 0-5 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series 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 previous meetings, but they have not been entirely one-sided affairs. At times, Nakashima has gained the upper hand, only for Zverev to find his game, spin his web 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 said. “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 times in recent weeks when Nakashima has shown the game with which he climbed to a career-high No. 29 in the PIF ATP Rankings. In Acapulco, the American had control of his semi-final at the ATP 500 against Frances Tiafoe before his countryman was able to shift the momentum.
“I’m focusing on what I can control out there,” Nakashima said. “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 record against Top-10 opponents, this is another opportunity for Nakashima to show the world what he is capable of on one of the grandest stages in the sport.
“I always enjoy any time you get to play in these big stadiums, it’s always a great feeling,” Nakashima said. “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 year ago, Nakashima reached the fourth round at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the first time. It was one of the best showings of his career and a great memory at a location where he has made plenty of them. Now the 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals champion is ready to try to make another 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 said. “I always coming back here, playing in front of the home fans and my friends’ and family’s support.”