CARMEL, Ind. — "It's not normal, I'll just say that," said Carmel's three-time tennis Olympian Rajeev Ram.
Ram is referring to fellow Carmel High School graduate Nishesh Basavareddy, who received a qualifying wild card for the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year — the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York City.
"It's unbelievable for a kid from Carmel, Indiana," Ram said.
On Thursday, Basavareddy played in the final round of qualifying matches after winning twice. The 19-year-old lost in three sets to Hamad Medjedovic, but took some time to enjoy the moment.
"All three of my matches were packed, and there were a lot of people supporting me, especially playing my home Slam. Those were some of my most enjoyable matches I've ever played," he told 13News by phone on Friday. "To be a set away from the major, that was really cool. Just in general, one of the greatest experiences of my life."
"It's not easy to go out and perform and play your best and play against players that have been doing it for a really long time," Ram said. "I think it just shows his maturity and how ready he is to play at that level."
It's a pressure Ram knows well, just weeks after snagging a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. On Aug. 26, Ram will be looking for his fourth consecutive men's doubles title at the U.S. Open alongside partner Joe Salisbury.
"It's a wonderful place with wonderful memories," Ram said. "I've been going to the tournament ever since I was like 15 years old. Special place, my home grand slam. Very excited to get on that plane and go."
Ram said he hopes to practice on the hardcourts with Basavareddy when he arrives in New York on Friday.
"I've hit with him a lot," Ram said. "We've used each other for practice. For the last five or six years, he's been easily the best player around here for me to hit with."
It's a relationship that flourishes off the court too, Ram said.
"I've seen him since he was 8 years old," Ram said. "Just a kid who loves the game. I related to that more than anything, more than his ability, more than his level. I related to the passion that he has for tennis."
Basavareddy is also a two-time grant recipient from the Rajeev Ram Foundation, which fosters the positive impact of tennis on kids in Indiana.
"He is a kid that I've really tried to help as much as I can in my own way and in any way he likes for a long time now," Ram said. "It's really cool, really special to see him do this well."
"The wisdom he has is invaluable," said Basavareddy. "He's been really helpful. Telling me what to expect, mentoring me, and also just giving me tips on my game as well. Learning from his experiences, his process, I think it's been really good to have someone like that."
Basavareddy currently plays tennis at Stanford University.
Ram said he'll play in China's Davis Cup after the U.S. Open.
"We've formed a pretty neat bond as two kids from this town, both of Indian American heritage, trying to make it in professional tennis," Ram said.
