Brandon Nakashima: «I think for a 250 this is definitely one of the most well organized tournaments throughout the year»

 No.5-seeded Brandon Nakashima put forth an impressive debut in Almaty, firing 11 aces as he defeated Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic in straight sets to reach the second round. We talked to the rising 24-year-old Californian about his win, his feelings for Almaty and what it was like to face Carlos Alcaraz in Tokyo last month.
 
You played a really solid match against a tough competitor. I heard you say on court that you have been in Almaty for a little while. Does it help you out quite a bit to get in a comfort zone with the conditions, especially since it's at altitude?
 
Brandon Nakashima: «It helps being able to get a lot of good practice in. It was unfortunate that I lost early in Shanghai, but I guess on the good side, I was able to get here early and was able to adjust to the conditions here, just feeling a little bit more comfortable on the court out here after all the practices. So I think that definitely helped me play well today.’
 
It's your debut in Almaty. Would you say it's pretty enjoyable to be here?
 
Brandon Nakashima: «I think for a 250 this is definitely one of the most well organized tournaments throughout the year. Especially the organization. Everyone working here makes all the players feel super welcomed.»
 
You faced Carlos Alcaraz in Tokyo. That must have been a big moment for you. Your first ever match against a world No.1. Can you talk a little bit about the experience and maybe what you can take from it?
 
Brandon Nakashima: «I was feeling pretty confident on the court. Obviously, going against a guy that's had a remarkable year so far, No.1 in the world, it was definitely an eye-opening experience for me. I definitely learned a lot, both from my game and also from his game and being able to share the court with him. So it definitely was a great experience for me.»
 
Your year in general has been super solid. You got your 31st win tonight. What has been the key to your consistency of late?
 
Brandon Nakashima: «I think it's just showing up every single day, whether it's on the practice court or during the matches, being able to stay mentally focused every single day out there, putting in the hard work on the practice court in the gym ultimately pays off during these matches. Hopefully we will finish strong.»
 
Would you say you're still learning about yourself as a player, in some ways, in terms of what makes you the most effective on a tennis court, and still growing in that regard?
 
Brandon Nakashima:«I think so. Each match out here is always a learning experience, no matter the result. Being able to kind of find my identity out there as a player more and more each day, and just kind of gaining more experiences. This is my fourth or fifth year on tour right now so I'm definitely not not a young guy anymore, but definitely I am still still learning and open to these experiences.»
 
Being 24 as you are right now, and you look at your other Americans, you see Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul making big breakthroughs at older ages, like 27 or 28 years old. Does that give you some inspiration and help you realize that maybe your best days are way ahead of you?
 
Brandon Nakashima: «Even when I first turned professional, I always had that belief that I could get to the top of the game one day. And like you said, seeing all the other Americans, or even other players, kind of breaking through some older ages. It's definitely great to see.
 
«I know that I'm kind of on my own path. It's great to see all of them doing well and kind of breaking through inside the Top 10, Top 20, but I think everyone has their own path, and if I stick to mine, we'll see where it takes me