Nakashima riding wave of career-best tennis

By Grant Thompson

One week, you’re playing the best tennis of your career; the next, you’re expected to prove it all over again.

Brandon Nakashima has embraced that challenge, arriving at the Cincinnati Open off the back of a surprising run in Montreal, where he reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final.

“The level that I was playing, especially later stages of the tournament — quarters, semis — I feel that was some of the best tennis that I’ve played in my career,” said Nakashima before thanking his support team and “all they’ve done to get me to that point”.

One new member of that support team is coach Wayne Ferreira, the South African ex-player who reached a career-high No. 6. The duo started working together in mid-June and already, Nakashima has ascended to a personal best No. 22 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

“I think our personalities in general match up pretty well,” Nakashima said. “He’s a pretty calm, laid back guy and I think I am too. He’s been a great addition to the team. I’ve known him for quite a while, but not in depth as we know each other now.”

A 25-year-old native of San Diego, Nakashima is carrying a new edge this hard-court swing. Serving for a spot in the final, Nakashima held his nerve to fire a 141-mph ace down break point against in-form Rafael Jodar. (Nakashima saved all 10 break points faced across the quarters and semis). There was a certain bravery as Nakashima —- who also reached the Washington semi-finals (l. Fritz) — took free cuts at the ball.

The American’s swashbuckling style was evident throughout his run, as he routinely charged forward and finished points at net.

“It’s definitely something we’ve been trying to work on and implement in the matches more and more,” said Nakashima. “Even if I lose some points here and there, just making the effort of coming forward and trying to finish points at the net I think is good for my game.”

That ice-cold serving performance to seal his place in his biggest career final was pretty sweet, too.

“I felt like, especially in the tight matches, my serve definitely helped me get out of those pressure situations when I was serving,” said Nakashima, who fell to Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(4) in the title match. “In general, I’ve always felt like my serve is one of my biggest weapons out there. But last week, especially in the important moments, I was stepping up a lot.”

As is the case in many pro tournaments these days, the college game was well represented in Montreal. All four semi-finalists had some amount of college tennis experience: Nakashima, Jodar, Learner Tien and 2022 NCAA singles champ Shelton. Nakashima represented the University of Virginia for one semester, earning 2019 ACC Freshman of the Year honors before turning pro. (Jodar also played at UVA, from 2024-25).

Nakashima is not the only one in his family to take the college route. His younger brother, 22-year-old Bryce Nakashima, is entering his senior year at Ohio State University, 85 miles northeast of the Lindner Family Tennis Center.

“College is a good stepping stone before turning pro, no matter how high you’re ranked,” said Brandon, who returned home from Wimbledon in time to watch Bryce win an ITF M15 title.

“I think it helps you develop as a person, being away from home and everything, taking care of some little things by yourself. Then, the level of college tennis, it’s really high right now. We see all these guys playing college tennis for one, two years and then rising up pretty quickly into the pros.”

If his Montreal performance was a display of a revamped Nakashima, then take notice.

“I feel like I have a lot of confidence right now,” said Nakashima, making his sixth consecutive Cincinnati main-draw appearance. “I’m just trying to make sure my body is staying healthy and keep riding the wave.”