Georgian tennis player Nikoloz Bashilashvili has had flashes of great tennis, especially in 2019 when he was world No. 16. In recent years he has remained in the Top 100 of the world rankings and is already preparing for a new season. These are the 10 curiosities of him.
Nickname on the circuit
Corresponding to his surname, Nikoloz is known in touring, tournament and touring as “Basil”, a clipping of Basilashvili.
Three languages embedded in your speech
Although Nikoloz’s primary language is Georgian, the 30-year-old is also fluent in English and Russian.
tennis player since childhood
Years of preparation are required to be an elite athlete, especially starting from an early age. This is the case of the Georgian player, who grabbed his first racket when he was just five years old.
A family with different occupations
Basilashvili’s father Nodar was a dancer in the Georgian National Ballet. His mother, Natalia, was a doctor.
Idols and references
The greatest exponents of Nikoloz in his early career were, nothing more and nothing less, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. He has played twice for the Swiss, beating one of them; while with the Spaniards they met in four games, without a win for the Georgian.
circuit preferences
His favorite surface is hard courts, his best shot is the forehand and his favorite tournament is Wimbledon. Also, his dream rival would be Marat Safin.
superstitious tape
Nikolz Basilashvili’s all-match look is with a headband that goes all the way around his head. But that same tape is used by superstition.
Other passions outside tennis
Outside of what is a field, training and daily tennis, Nikoloz is very fond of aviation, movies and cooking. Also, if I wasn’t a tennis player I would have been a pilot or a psychologist.
Fraternity with your compatriots
Nikoloz is the best tennis player in Georgia history and has a deep admiration for his compatriots Zaza Pachuliaformer basketball player, e Only Kaladzeformer footballer.
United States to train
A year before turning pro, Basilashvili trained from 2007 to 2011 in Sacramento (California, United States) to improve his tennis.
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