SEPT 25 - 27, 2026 | LONDON
On Friday, Brandon Nakashima’s 2026 breakthrough season will continue when he makes his Team World debut against Team Europe’s Jakub Mensik. The American heads into Laver Cup London, taking place from Friday to Sunday at The O2 arena, with a career-high ranking of No.16.
Maybe even more valuable than a high ranking, the 25-year-old Nakashima brings intel on both his own bench and the opposition: This year alone, he has faced seven of the 13 other players and alternates on Team World and Team Europe.
“It’s a different feeling, different atmosphere for sure,” Nakashima said of Laver Cup. “But I think it’s great to have these kind of weeks on the tour where you’re all hanging out with each other, spending more time, and really kind of getting to know each other a little more. And then when you get out there on the court you take it more seriously and try to win.”
A former world No.3-ranked junior, Nakashima spent one year at the University of Virginia before turning pro at the end of 2019. He made a name for himself on tour quickly. In 2021, he became the youngest American since Andy Roddick to reach multiple ATP finals (Los Cabos and Atlanta). He won his first ATP title in 2022 in San Diego and closed the season with the Next Gen ATP Finals title.
A knee injury in 2023 dropped his ranking outside of the Top 150, but he rebuilt his confidence on the ATP Challenger Tour in 2024, winning 27 of 35 matches. Nakashima picked up a doubles trophy in 2025 at the Delray Beach Open, and set the tone early in 2026 by reaching the Brisbane final and semifinals in Acapulco.
This summer, Nakashima’s hot streak would see him reach three semifinals and a final, with four wins over Team World teammates and two over Team Europe members, including Mensik in Washington.
His summer of highlights began with a semifinal run at Queen’s Club, where he defeated Team World’s alternate Ignacio Buse and Alex de Minaur, before falling to Francisco Cerundolo. Nakashima, De Minaur and Cerundolo will join Taylor Fritz, Learner Tien and Alexander Bublik on Team World this week.
“I think our team has a lot of guys that are really fun to be around,” Nakashima said. “Good energy, and I’m excited to get out there.”
Team Europe’s squad includes Alexander Zverev (who Nakashima pushed to three sets in Indian Wells), Carlos Alcaraz, Flavio Cobolli, Casper Ruud, Rafael Jodar and Mensik.
Nakashima’s summer continued with another semifinal, in Washington, D.C., with another win over De Minaur and a loss to Fritz. The following week in Montreal, Nakashima stormed to the ATP Masters 1000 final, defeating Jodar in the semifinals.
Nakashima’s runner-up finish in Montreal marked his first time beyond the round of 16 at the ATP 1000 level. In Cincinnati, his success continued with yet another semifinal after he saved three match points in a win over Daniil Medvedev and avenged his Washington loss to Fritz.
“I think pretty much all the time, we’re pretty friendly,” Nakashima said of teammate Fritz. “We’re good friends off the court, and when it’s time to play against each other in the matches, it’s kind of all business from there.”
The deep Montreal and Cincinnati runs made Nakashima the first American to reach consecutive ATP Masters 1000 semifinals since 2010.
“I’m feeling very confident right now,” Nakashima said. “It’s been a great summer playing a lot of matches for me. So it should be good to see how I play against all these top guys at this event.”
Nakashima will be supported from the bench by his teammates as well as Team World Captain Andre Agassi and Vice-Captain Patrick Rafter.
“It’s great to be able to learn from him and see what he thinks about the sport,” Nakashima said of Agassi. “I’m looking forward to spending more time with him.”
Following the Friday’s first day session match between Cerundolo and Ruud, Nakashima will take on Mensik. The night session will see Bublik face Jodar, followed by the first doubles match of the tournament between Bublik and Fritz against Alcaraz and Mensik.
