Dan's Dabble in Babble

Good Evening. Welcome to Nakashima Nightly. It is July 11th, and I'm Dan Burkett - your lead Nakashima Correspondent.Before we begin, I want to take a moment to acknowledge Taylor Fritz in this week's hashtag-Fritz-Friday. Playing in his first ever Wimbledon semifinal, Fritz was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in four sets. Fritz played a determined match, and with two set points in the fourth set tiebreaker, it was a heartbreaking loss for the American. Still, we congratulate Taylor Fritz on a great grass court season, and look forward to seeing what he can do in the North American hard court swing.American tennis pro Brandon Nakashima took a well-earned break from the professional circuit yesterday, opting for a day filled with casual sports and quality time with his brother. After spending the earlier part of the day on the golf course, Nakashima was spotted later hitting tennis balls with his brother in what appeared to be a relaxed and enjoyable session on the courts.While there are no major updates to report in terms of tournaments or rankings for Nakashima at the moment, the glimpse into his off-court life is a reminder of the balance athletes strive to maintain during the long, demanding tennis season. With the ATP Tour's summer hardcourt swing approaching, days like these offer a chance to recharge both physically and mentally.Known for his calm demeanor and powerful baseline play, Nakashima has steadily carved out a name for himself on tour. His 2022 ATP title in San Diego and deep runs in several other tournaments have shown that he possesses both the talent and the temperament to compete with the best. But like any top-tier athlete, downtime is essential—and yesterday's mix of golf and tennis seems to be part of that personal formula.While fans may be eager for news of his next big match or training milestone, it’s moments like these that provide a deeper look at the human side of high-performance sport. Whether refining his serve on the practice court or lining up a putt on the green, Nakashima remains a model of focus, discipline, and quiet dedication.For now, supporters will have to wait for his next official appearance. But it’s safe to say that Brandon Nakashima is keeping his game—and his spirit—in good shape.Stay tuned for more updates as the tour rolls on.And with that, we conclude our first week here at Nakashima Nightly. Thank you so much for your continued support. Please continue to support our show by liking this episode, commenting below, sharing with a friend, and subscribing to our channel. For Nakashima Nightly, I'm Dan Burkett, signing off.

Tonight, we're getting to know Brandon NakashimaMeet Brandon Nakashima: The Rising Star of American TennisIf you follow tennis or have ever watched the U.S. Open or Wimbledon, you’ve probably heard about names like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Coco Gauff. But there’s another name you should know—Brandon Nakashima, one of the top young American men’s tennis players on the ATP Tour.Brandon might not be a household name just yet, but he's been working his way up through the rankings with quiet confidence, strong discipline, and a game built on consistency and control. He’s not flashy like some players, but that’s part of what makes him so good—he lets his tennis speak for itself.Early Life and BackgroundBrandon Nakashima was born on August 3, 2001, in San Diego, California. He started playing tennis at the age of 3 with his grandfather and quickly fell in love with the sport. By the time he was in his early teens, Brandon was one of the top junior players in the country.He’s of Japanese and Vietnamese heritage, and family is a big part of his life. His calm personality on court is often linked to the way he was raised—focused, respectful, and humble.Instead of turning professional right away, Brandon made a smart move: he played college tennis. In 2019, he spent one season at the University of Virginia, one of the best college tennis programs in the country. Even though he was only 17, he dominated in college matches. After just one season, he decided he was ready to go pro.Turning Pro and Climbing the RankingsBrandon turned professional in 2019 and didn’t waste any time making an impact. In his first full year on tour, he reached an ATP final and started playing in Grand Slam tournaments. By 2022, he was ranked inside the Top 50 in the world, which is a big deal for a player in his early 20s.That same year, he made it to the fourth round of the U.S. Open, one of tennis’s biggest events. He also won the Next Gen ATP Finals, a tournament that features the best players under 21. Previous winners include top stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, so winning that event showed just how high Brandon's ceiling could be.Playing StyleBrandon isn’t the loudest or most emotional player on court, but he’s one of the most focused. He’s known for his steady baseline play, meaning he does really well in long rallies from the back of the court. He hits the ball cleanly, especially with his two-handed backhand, which is one of his best weapons.He doesn’t rely on power alone. Instead, Brandon uses smart tactics, great footwork, and a calm mindset to outplay his opponents. His game is built for hard courts, but he’s also improving on grass and clay—two very different and challenging surfaces.Recent Results and What’s NextIn 2025, Brandon reached the third round of Wimbledon, defeating China’s Yunchaokete Bu and fellow American Reilly Opelka before falling to Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. These wins reminded fans that he’s still a strong competitor with the potential to go even further.Now ranked in the Top 80 (as of July 2025), Brandon is focusing on the North American hard-court season, including big tournaments like the Citi Open, Cincinnati Masters, and the U.S. Open.Why He MattersAmerican men’s tennis has been looking for its next big star since the days of legends like Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras. While players like Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Ben Shelton are getting a lot of attention, Brandon Nakashima is part of that same group. He might be quieter and more low-key than some of his peers, but he’s just as talented and just as hungry to succeed.If you’re a fan of sports where hard work and mental strength matter just as much as physical ability, Brandon is a great player to follow. He represents a new generation of tennis players who combine skill with sportsmanship—and he’s just getting started.

It is July 7th and this is: Nakashima Nightly. I'm your host, Dan Burkett, bringing you the latest and greatest about ATP superstar Brandon Nakashima. Tonight, we're recapping Wimbledon. Ladies and gentlemen, tennis aficionados and casual Centre Court snackers alike, gather 'round for the tale of Brandon Nakashima’s charmingly clinical, statistically stunning, and unexpectedly spicy run at Wimbledon 2025—a performance that left fans grinning, commentators reaching for new adjectives, and opponents...well, mostly reaching for towels.Let’s set the scene: it’s 2025, the grass is freshly trimmed, the strawberries are overpriced, and Brandon Nakashima strolls into Wimbledon like your calm, unbothered friend who somehow always finds parking. Ranked just outside the top-tier headlines but firmly inside the “don’t sleep on him” club, Nakashima arrived with quiet confidence, clean groundstrokes, and a serve so effective it should probably be taxed.Now, about that serve. Forty-nine aces. That’s right. Forty-nine. That’s not a stat, that’s a flex. The man served up more aces than a Las Vegas poker table. And with only 4 double faults? That's practically monk-like discipline. Somewhere, John Isner nodded in solemn approval.Brandon landed 72% of his first serves in—basically turning each service game into a polite but firm announcement: “Hi, I’ll be holding serve now.” And when he did? He won 77% of those points. Seventy-seven! At that point, his serve was less a weapon and more a Wimbledon-certified public utility.But let’s not ignore his second serve—where many players flirt with disaster, Brandon was dating efficiency. He won 60% of second serve points, which is like saying, “Even on my backup plan, I’m still better than most of your first ideas.”And it wasn’t all serve and no spice. Nakashima broke serve 10 times over the fortnight—proving that he wasn’t just a one-trick pony. He was also a sly little thief, sneaking return games when opponents least expected it, like a tennis-playing ninja in Uniqlo.Now, while the British crowd loves their big names and royals-in-the-royal-box cameos, by the second week, Centre Court was whispering one name over tea and crumpets: Nakashima. He didn’t just win matches—he conducted them, like a symphony of clean technique, calm demeanor, and the occasional “did he just paint the line again?” shot that left everyone in a mild state of disbelief.Opponents described him as “annoyingly consistent,” “robotically precise,” and “way too nice to beat me this badly.” Brandon, ever the gentleman, would simply give a humble nod, pack his bag, and move on like he hadn’t just dismantled someone’s Wimbledon dream with surgical forehands and a serve that could knock a pigeon off the scoreboard.Did he win the title? Well, not quite. But he went deep. Like, “call the hotel, we’re staying another week” deep. And more importantly, he won over fans with his stoic swagger, effortless shot-making, and charmingly understated post-match interviews. Somewhere between the ace count and the unforced error avoidance, Brandon Nakashima became Wimbledon’s most polite menace.So as the final grass clippings settled and the applause faded, one thing was clear: Brandon Nakashima didn’t just have a run at Wimbledon—he glided. And next year? Well, let’s just say...Centre Court better start reserving his spot early.

A brief introduction to our new show, Nakashima Nightly and a recap of Brandon Nakashima's heartbreaking defeat at Wimbledon today at the hands of Lorenzo Sonego.

#MichHeads from the old country, unite in this time of need! On Friday, October 14th, Michelle Collins announced on her SiriusXM radio show, The Michelle Collins Show, that her show will have its final week this week. This is deeply saddening, so I've taken this opportunity to use my platform to pay respects to the greatest person to ever grace a microphone. Here's to Michelle Collins!

In this episode of Dan's Dabble in Babble, Dan talks about all the joys of home ownership, from the homestead tax exemption to replacing shower heads. How many sweaters does Dan need? Listen to him contemplate this here. What is Dan watching? You guessed it - get the rundown here, plus hear a bit about the excitement of the US Open in the coming weeks. All this and more!

In this solo babble, Dan talks about the joys of a new coffee maker, the obnoxiousness of educator TikTok, but most importantly, he talks about an enchanting weekend in the Hostess City of the South: Savannah, Georgia! Staying in the beautiful Ballastone Inn, Dan takes you through excellent food at Elisabeth's on 37th, The Olde Pink House, and more! Get southern with this week's babble!

Wimbledon comes to a close, and Dan ruminates on the greatness of Taylor Fritz, the path of Nick Kyrgios, and so much more Wimbledon content. Then, Dan reminisces on how he formed his parthenon of three perfect movies, from web-slinging Spider-Man to singing in the Grecian Isles, Dan takes flight in Top Gun fashion as he reflects on the impact of Top Gun on his life, our culture, and celebrates the franchise's bold entry with Top Gun: Maverick.

Hear about Dan's first experience with Gasparilla in Tampa as well as a surface dive through character bounding, traveling to Disney, epcot, and most importantly, Australian Survivor. 

Dan enchants his listeners with a tale of foreign travel, with wonders of the world. Hear about travels to Cancun, Mexico, the wonders of an all-inclusive resort, New Year's Eve around the world, and great travels to Chichen Itza and a Cenote. It truly is a charmed life that Dan leads. Then, this week, Dan is joined by Darrin Charles, a former football player from the University of Wisconsin, who had a stint with the Chicago Bears. Hear about Darrin's experience transitioning to life outside of the midwest, transitioning from a life filled with athletics, and even hear about how he's dabbled in hand modeling. You're in for a treat on this week's Dan's Dabble in Babble. 

Dan has fallen. He's fallen hard. He's fallen fast. Tune in to this week's episode to learn all about Dan's experience with skydiving and feeling like a Marvel superhero, specifically Spider-Man. Buckle in tightly for this one and listen to it someplace where the wind can rush through your hair and you can indulge all of your greatest senses. 

Dan discusses some of his favorite things about the Christmas season, including ice skating near water, decorating with Santa's Husband, and the best Christmas movie, Last Christmas.

Dan talks about riding in a Buick - yes, a Buick with a nice, full front bench seat. We also take a stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about the joy of a donut, recognizing there's a time and a place. Finally, if you want to learn about having class, this is the episode for you, as Dan exposes the war on cake, and points out the necessities for a classy event.