US OPEN

September 10, 2022

Ozan Baris

Nishesh Basavareddy

Press Conference

BASAVAREDDY-BARIS/Dietrich-Prado Angelo

6-1, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: 6-1, 6-1 in an extremely crisp 41 minutes. Would each of you please assess your performance this afternoon.

OZAN BARIS: I'll go first.

I felt like we played really well today. I mean, I feel throughout the tournament we were playing really well. Also, where am I supposed to look?

THE MODERATOR: You could look at me.

OZAN BARIS: Okay (laughter).

I thought throughout the tournament we were playing really well. A lot of times we had a ton of opportunities. I just felt like today they really went our way. Every time we got an opportunity, we were able to capitalize on it. Because of that, I think the match went really steadily in our favor.

Also, I think we had really good energy today. Yeah, it was just a really good match.

NISHESH BASAVAREDDY: Yeah, I think we just got better with each match in the tournament. We started out pretty well in the first round. Second round, that was probably the closest match. We went to a deciding-set tiebreak. I think after that, each match was better and better.

Today, like he said, I think most of the deuce points, the closer games went our way. We served and returned well. Got some points that when we were on defense went our way, as well.

Overall really good today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I saw that 15-minute set last night. I didn't think you could probably play any better than you did in that set. To play this one in the final. I mean, where did that come from? You don't even play together.

OZAN BARIS: Honestly I'm not sure why we didn't play together for a while. It's been a long time. I think the last time was 14s. We won like a Midwest Level I. Yeah, I mean, I think we're a really good team.

It was good that we were able to play here. Yeah, I think our chemistry is good. We've known each other for a really long time.

I don't know. I guess we just play well together (smiling).

NISHESH BASAVAREDDY: Yeah, I mean, I think we were just making a lot of returns, making a lot of first serves. I think we have good intangibles as well.

Like I said, that just came together in these last two matches especially, which let us win relatively easily. That's it.

Q. Can you just talk about how you two met, decided to work together.

NISHESH BASAVAREDDY: Yeah, I mean, I first moved to the Midwest from California. I was like eight years old. We just met through junior tournaments there, 10-and-unders, 12-and-unders. We've played each other in every division quite a bit as well.

I just asked him a few months ago to play in this tournament. That's kind of how it started. Ended up working out pretty well.

OZAN BARIS: Yeah, this guy has always been balling since eight years old. I was, like, I got to play with him in doubles.

We played well together in the past. He asked me to play doubles. We were like, All right, let's do it.

Q. Rajeev Ram wins yesterday; you win today. That's pretty amazing for Carmel, Indiana, right? Tell me about your relationship with him, how that has helped you.

NISHESH BASAVAREDDY: Yeah, I mean, it was really amazing to see that yesterday. We went and watched the end of the second set. He was playing really well. It inspired us. We saw their level, what they were doing on the court. Obviously they're the best doubles team in the world so you can always learn from them.

I've hit with him quite a bit in the past, practiced with him. He's given me a lot of advice in the past. I've known him for seven, eight years now. He's been a huge role model and important person to look up to, give me good advice.

Yeah, he definitely played a big part in this. I think I learned a lot tennis skills, doubles skills, everything from him. So, yeah, definitely really cool to see him win yesterday.

Q. Did that inspire you guys?

NISHESH BASAVAREDDY: Yeah, I mean, we were really close up. They were playing really well at the end especially. To see them win the tournament, I mean, it's just really cool to see anyone win the US Open obviously.

So, yeah, I think that inspired us.

OZAN BARIS: Yeah, I agree. I hadn't seen any Grand Slam finals before in person. Just seeing that winning moment, that's my favorite part of the match. Seeing their reactions, being able to see that I was, like, I really want that feeling.

Yeah, definitely brought some confidence and motivation for our matches yesterday and today.

Q. You are set to attend college or... You're going to Michigan State and Stanford. What do you see as the future, your future with tennis, future between you two?

NISHESH BASAVAREDDY: Yeah, I mean, I'm starting school next week. Yeah, I go to Stanford next week at least. I just continue to improve there, play tournaments while I'm there, play college tennis.

Hopefully in a few years' time I'm ready to make the jump to pro tennis, move up the rankings. That's my ultimate goal. Just continue to improve.

I'll probably play a few junior events next year because I have one more year of eligibility.

As far as our future, maybe play some doubles tournaments in the future, and maybe in the summers for now.

OZAN BARIS: I'd love to play with this guy some more. Obviously we'll be playing on different college teams. I started last week. I'm just going to try to keep getting better.

The goal for me is to be a professional player. Just trying to get there however I can. I know that Michigan State is a great place for me to keep improving, really reach that level.

So, yeah, that's the goal. But I would love to play with this guy in the future. I think we got some real good potential. Maybe one day win the main thing. That would be pretty nice (smiling).