US OPEN

September 1, 2022

Jenson Brooksby

Press Conference

J. BROOKSBY/B. Coric

6-4, 7-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: A three-set match. Give us your take on the match, especially that second-set tiebreak.

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah, I think that was a really good battle today. I knew it would be with an opponent like him.

I was proud of my mental resolve to be able to save a lot of set points like that in a row and just stay in the present and be able to focus and commit to what I have been working on, and to see that come through today is a great feeling.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. The second-set tiebreaker, obviously the match could go either way at that point, you're either a set all or 2-0. What were you telling yourself when you were facing all those set points? How did you stay confident when you kept getting to 8-All, 9-All, and not be able to get that set point for yourself?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah, I was a little disappointed with how I played a couple of those points. I told myself I didn't want my emotions to get in the way of potentially losing a set like that and having momentum switch a little bit and be a little tougher.

Yeah, I just told myself I didn't want my emotions to get in the way, just focus and committing to, you know, what I have been training. Just staying in the present, staying relaxed and loose. I think I did that pretty well.

Q. Curious to know how you would characterize your season thus far. In terms of matching up against what maybe your expectations were before the season started, where would you say you're at?

JENSON BROOKSBY: I mean, I think I'm doing okay. It's been, there has been a lot of streaks. Definitely been some ups and definitely some downs, too.

I feel like I've been on the road way more this year than any other year, so I believe my coach and my team and parts of my process we've learned so much on how to handle situations. Especially being on the road for us was the biggest challenge.

I think we learned so much from this year that we will implement into next year and feel really confident with that.

And, yeah, but right now I'm feeling really good, really confident, and I'm looking to continue that.

Q. Two quick things. Could you follow up? What is the art of being a road warrior, key to being out on the road week after week, far from California, far from your home? Also, you said you have been working on some things. Could you share some of what you have been working on recently.

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah, I think it took us a while of being on the road like that, a lot of different trips, say, nine-and-a-half weeks in Europe and a few other like five-, six-week trips, things like that, some things we hadn't experienced before.

It's things we realize in my game specifically, and also some off-court things, where when I'm back home in Sacramento and training, we have a lot of it implemented already, say, like, the competitive culture and what things I need to work on on my game and getting the hours on court of drilling or hitting, you know, just specific things we need to work on.

We learn that we need to be able to keep all these things up on the road. Also, certain aspects of my mentality. For a while, we hadn't even really realized that, like, that those things would fade so easily being on the road.

But I think we've had a lot of perspective now to reflect on those trips. After, like, Cincinnati, I sat down with my coach and he was telling me some things he had thought. So I feel good with what we've learned from those mistakes.

Q. Borna was complaining to the chair umpire a lot today. He seemed to have a little problem with some things you were doing. When you're playing an opponent and they're frustrated or complaining about whatever they might be complaining about, do you notice that as far as like, Okay, he's really frustrated now, I might be able to take advantage, or do you not even be aware when your opponent is complaining about things that may or may not even be in your control?

JENSON BROOKSBY: I noticed that definitely. It gives you confidence to be able to try and handle those moments better than the other opponents. Just things that I can focus on in my control.

That's definitely a time if the opponent is frustrated, I can see this is the time to stay focused and stay on him and try to break him down. Whoever that is or whatever situation that is, it's always a good thing to see.

Yeah, the conditions, it was a little windy today, for sure. It wasn't the best. But from my end, I thought I handled it well.

Q. Did you notice him complaining today?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah.

Q. You are playing Carlos Alcaraz next. I think you guys have been close in the draw a few times over the last year, and he's been a rising star like you. Has it been an opponent you want to play? Have you been eager to play him? Do you have some game plan for him, scouting report, or do you have to develop that tonight?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah, my coach will go over that with me later. But, yeah, it's definitely someone I have wanted to play. I'm going to bring in my best.

Yeah, it's going to be a good, competitive battle out there. Yeah, it's someone I've wanted to play. I'm really excited to go out there, compete, and, you know, show what I can do.

Q. What kind of atmosphere are you anticipating?

JENSON BROOKSBY: I mean, I think it could be on Ashe, I'm not the best at predictions, but regardless, I think it's going to be a great atmosphere, great crowd. You use the U.S. crowd on my side and give that energy out there.

Q. Regarding Alcaraz, obviously you have seen what kind of a season he's had and what kind of a player he is. Any thoughts you have about how he's been able to be so successful at the age of 19? And secondly, how excited are you not just to face him but to face him here, home soil, at a venue you have already had some pretty good success at?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah, I mean, to the end of the first part, he's had a very good, great year. You know, he's a great competitor.

You know, yeah, he's just a great competitor. I kind of forgot the first part of your question already.

Q. Is it even better to face him here because you have had success here dating back the last few years, especially last year, you're comfortable on the hard courts and in New York?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah, those situations in a slam like this, it's your home crowd, for sure, for sure it will only give me the advantage, I think. I just want to be able to use that advantage as much as I can.

I'm feeling very confident heading into this one.

Q. Could I just ask, are you still playing piano? Can you talk about that? Is it sort of fun to get away and get into your own world? Finally, if you had to pick a favorite piano piece, whether it's classical or rock, where do you go with that?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Okay. Yeah, I still play piano when I'm home. I think I have said it before, but I've got my electric keyboard at home. I play when I can at home.

Actually between in Cincinnati and here I had another lesson with my teacher, actually. Yeah, I just enjoy playing.

Yeah, and then I like playing rock or classical. I'd say for the longest time I love playing "Clocks" by Coldplay or "Downton Abbey" are a couple of my favorites but there are some classical ones, too. Yeah, it's a cool skill I hope to have for the rest of my life.