Jenson Brooksby: ‘The sky’s the limit for me’

ATP Tour
American Jenson Brooksby in action

Jenson Brooksby announced himself with a victory over US tennis stalwart in the Atlanta Open final boosting his confidence ahead of the US Open swing.

Brooksby is part of an exciting American contingent that will challenge for the final Grand Slam of the year.

Having delivered inconsistent results in Europe, Brooksby is happy to be back at home as he prepares for a big finish to the season.

Brooksby beat compatriot Frances Tiafoe en route to the final picking up some mid-match acknowledgement from his countryman.

He believes that when he is dialled in there is no limit to what he can achieve.

Speaking after beating Tiafoe, Brooksby said: “I really think when I’m training well and I’m really, really focused in and zoned in on my game, that the sky’s the limit for me.

“You know, I think I can achieve anything.”

Jenson Brooksby after a match
Jenson Brooksby

Brooksby is out to relentlessly improve his game and is eager to find ways to play his best tennis in late tournament matches.

“I’m just always someone who wants to have my game feeling as good as possible, especially in the later matches in the tournament,” Brooksby said.

“I definitely think I played a strong first set for sure, and early in the second set.

“But, you know, there’s always going to be a few things to work on.”

Despite enduring disappointment in Europe, Brooksby says that he is still in a positive frame of mind.

Brooksby’s losses have often come against players doing well, either in a moment or over a longer period and he is building a reputation as being very hard to beat.

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“I think [my mentality] is similar now to last year,” he said, reflecting on his 2021 season against this term.

“For instance, in the European tournaments it was a little… not how it’s supposed to be. But I think that’s in the past now. We know how to manage that better.

“But just, it’s always [about] staying in the present for me. Right now. I feel like I’m in a good headspace and a good mentality like last year and just hope to keep bringing that every day.”

Brooksby is still searching for his first full ATP Tour title win having made three finals.

He was denied by World No 30 Alex de Minaur in Atlanta having expelled Tiafoe, Isner, Mackenzie McDonald and Benoit Paire at Atlantic Station.

Frances Tiafoe has the potential to be the face of US men’s tennis

Tiafoe labelled Brooksby a ‘f***king pickle’ during their match in a moment that exemplifies the strength of the young man’s game, being hard to read and possessing great attacking weapons.

Reacting to the praise for his countryman, Brooksby said: “That’s nice to hear from him. And I’ll do my best to make that happen over the years.”

Brooksby will face Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan in the first round of the Citi Open and if he wins that contest he will be rewarded with a rematch against De Minaur who is the 11th seed in Washington DC.

Jenson Brooksby

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