US OPEN

September 6, 2021

Jenson Brooksby

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/J. Brooksby

1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Thoughts on tonight's match.

JENSON BROOKSBY: I thought I started out strong today. I believe from the start, just like any other match, I came out strong, came out with my right strategy. It's tough how it faded after later in the second set, into the rest of the match.

Also credit to Novak for stepping it up, too.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can you describe what it actually felt to be playing on Arthur Ashe Stadium with an atmosphere and a crowd and against the world No. 1 all at the same time.

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah, there's nothing more. I don't think there's anything more exciting you can get in a sport playing in an atmosphere like that. You can see people as high up as possible. It's full. It's really exciting.

I really enjoyed playing in an atmosphere like that and hope that I get to many more times in the future.

But, yeah, it just helped me with a big crowd like that, that atmosphere. Helped me stay focused and enjoy the moment.

Q. Were you dealing with physical issues there? You asked for the trainer a couple of times. What was it? How much of a result could it have been of the physical nature?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah, there was something. Something that kind of came up from later in the second match, then in the third one. Even with a day off, then kind of into today, like my left hip kind of was bothering me even early on and more into it.

Not like it's an excuse or anything, but it kind of went throughout the leg today a bit. I was struggling more to push off and move. But that's part of the sport. I did everything I could to feel best I can going out there today and all the other days. There's no regrets on that.

I definitely think if there wasn't that, I could have kept a better level up closer to the first set throughout the rest of the match.

Q. What did you learn about the level of physicality it takes to play against Novak toe-to-toe? The 24-point game in the second set, how much did that take out of you?

JENSON BROOKSBY: First, yeah, that one game, it was a very long game. I think it was the 1-3 game, yeah. That game itself didn't really, like, make a difference too much really physically. But, I mean, obviously going into a three-out-of-five-set match against anybody, but especially against him, too, you know it's going to be physical, running. I planned for that going out there. That's what I'm trying to do as well, too.

I expected it. I still felt pretty good out there with myself.

Q. What was the tactic at the beginning? What did you feel like was working best for you?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah, I mean, it's my coach's job to explain that stuff. It's more my job to just try to go out there and execute it.

But no, I mean, I can't really say too much. But I did do it from the start and I could see it working. I really did have a lot of confidence in myself out there that I can beat him, I can beat anybody.

Yeah, I think definitely the movement affected that throughout the rest of the match, but not as an excuse. Credit to him for also stepping it up a little.

Q. Can you take a moment and express the special feeling or even the magic of going on a 6-1 run? You're so good at seizing opportunities and learning. What will be your takeaway?

JENSON BROOKSBY: It's definitely all positive things to take away. I learned my game. I'm feeling really confident in my game. I believe I can compete with anybody.

But, no -- sorry, what was the first part?

Q. The feeling in the first set, riding a wave of that energy.

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah, I knew it would be important to start strong, to impose my mindset and my strategy, my game out there. It's definitely special. I mean, I always enjoy the matches and everything throughout the moment. Obviously you have to stay focused.

Afterwards, you can always have time to reflect more. Just appreciate and enjoy for the whole journey.

Atmospheres like that are what you want to be in front of since you were a little kid, watching on TV when you were young, and now you're living it. It is something I really appreciate and I'm grateful to be here now. Excited to keep in atmospheres like this for the future.

Q. Talk about comparing playing in a challenger, hardly anybody in the stands, versus a night like tonight. What do you think is the harder mental challenge there?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Which one is harder? Each situation definitely has its challenges. Like, say, at challengers or futures or lower ones, it is easy to lose focus in yourself, energy, because of those atmospheres, maybe not see something as big as this to push yourself for. If you have the right mindset and the goals, then it can be better.

No, but I think atmospheres like this definitely at least for me help me just focus more. With crowds like that, they help me not find distractions as easy, just helps me do good things better.

No, it's definitely exciting seeing at this level and getting more confidence week by week that I can keep rising high.

Q. Most players after a loss would just leave the court as quickly as possible. It took you quite a long time to leave. I don't know if it's because you have to sort out your bags. Almost looked like you didn't want to leave the court because it felt comfortable out there. Could you explain that. Also your ranking now is going to improve enormously and open up possibilities scheduling-wise. Can you give us an outlook on the future.

JENSON BROOKSBY: Well, first off there, I mean, yeah, I did kind of see after a few minutes they were kind of waiting for me. I'm like, All right. It was just in the moment. I wasn't really having a plan or anything.

I did take time to look around a little bit, just appreciated being in an atmosphere like that with so many people cheering you on. Took a moment to still have it all in after. You're not going to win every match you play obviously, but you still have to enjoy it.

I really appreciate everyone out there. But then I had to leave (smiling).

Q. You talked earlier about your belief and self-confidence, the idea in your head that you can beat anybody. Against Novak Djokovic out there, was there a moment, a point, a shot, where you sort of felt more of that you belong there, you can play with these guys on these stages?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah, I mean, I think that comes from definitely more training, but most importantly other match situations against other guys and stuff also, just the whole process of it.

Leading up to it, I 100% believed I could win, like, against anybody. I thought I showed that with the level I could produce out there. Unfortunately, yeah, physically got a little tougher.

Oh, God, I'm losing what you guys are saying. Sorry.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.

JENSON BROOKSBY: Awkward finish (smiling).