Nakashima: "Hard work always pays off, confidence drives me"

Under the radar. This is how Brandon Nakashima has been navigating the circuit lately, going from being a bright future prospect to seeing his name fade away in the minds of fans due to his evident inconsistency. At 23, he enters the fourth round of a Grand Slam once again, this time at US Open 2024, reflecting on the reasons for his high level of play at Flushing Meadows.

He burst onto the scene with the endorsement of a player destined to break into the top, but he never quite became a true media star or one of those players who captivate fans. Brandon Nakashima has had an unusual trajectory of late, sporadic appearances in the top 50, notable performances overshadowed by periods of obscurity, prestigious victories against players like Rublev or Rune, but also disappearing from the headlines. In this US Open 2024, he is showcasing astonishing tennis.

"Playing well in this tournament is an amazing experience for me as an American. It motivates me to see how other compatriots of mine shine in important tournaments, and the atmosphere on these courts is fantastic. I am able to stay positive on the court, to fight for every point," affirmed Nakashima, whose victory against Musetti was a clear demonstration of an upward trend that dates back to the entire year.

- Nakashima emphasizes the importance of confidence in his game

While his only title comes from a Challenger event in Tenerife, he has managed to win matches in almost every tournament he has entered. "It's great to see how the hard work I put in with my team pays off. I have invested a lot of time in the gym and on the practice court, and with each victory I achieve, I gain a lot of confidence. Last year, I lost crucial matches by a narrow margin, and that ended up affecting my game, but I was able to work even harder to turn things around," he clarified before reaffirming the importance of confidence.

"In an individual sport like this, winning some close and important matches can significantly improve your prospects. For me, confidence is vital because it allows me to take more risks on the court and feel that I can strike the ball freely," affirmed Brandon Nakashima, who will seek to cause an upset at US Open 2024 in his match against Alexander Zverev in the fourth round. Much to gain and little to lose for the American.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Nakashima: "El trabajo duro siempre da sus frutos, la confianza me impulsa"