AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 19, 2023

Jenson Brooksby

Press Conference

J. BROOKSBY/C. Ruud

6-3, 7-5, 6-7, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Jenson, congratulations on taking out the No. 2 seed. Just tell us how it was on Rod Laver Arena today.

JENSON BROOKSBY: It was really exciting to be out there on such a big stage like that. I always enjoy and treasure those atmospheres, you know. I thought I've been competing really well lately. I'm just happy to pull through that.

I have been focusing really well, training hard, playing well. I'm happy to see the results. You know, at the same time, just try to see how long I can keep doing it day after day.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Did Mackie's yesterday win against Rafa affect your mindset in any way coming into this match?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Not necessarily for me personally. You know, Mackie is a friend of mine, though. I'm happy to see him get a win like that. That's great for him.

You know, it didn't really change my mentality, per se. I knew today was a match I could win for sure in my mind.

Yeah, I approached it like any other, and I thought I focused well today. Yeah.

Q. You looked pretty spent at the end of that third set, especially after losing those three match points. What happened towards the end of that set? Also, how did you turn it around in the break?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah, I mean, sometimes in those situations, three out of five, you know, you can get a little more tired mentally and physically for sure.

I was getting a little more frustrated out there that I didn't close it out, and my mentality was changing a little bit. You know, those are the situations you have to handle sometimes in matches, and you're going to face. I think the biggest question is how do you respond.

I just told myself to reset, keep doing what I was doing in the start of the fourth, and just not let the end of the third just change how I play going forward.

Q. What would you say at the end of the match, there was the overwhelming emotion for you?

JENSON BROOKSBY: The overall what? Sorry?

Q. Emotion that you were feeling at the end when you did close it out.

JENSON BROOKSBY: I mean, I think the first thing that popped to my mind was I was just proud of my mental resolve just to stay focused out there. In a tough situation like that, like not being able to close it out, you know, but there's obviously a lot of different stories throughout the match, but I was just proud of myself, yeah.

Q. A lot of people are talking about the balls, the conditions at this tournament, how they might favor flatter hitters. You're quite a flat hitter. Is that how you see it? Are they helping you at this tournament?

JENSON BROOKSBY: I mean, I would say for me personally I've really enjoyed the conditions so far. I've loved the courts, and, you know, the weather itself can always change. But in terms of the courts and the balls, from what I've seen, I enjoy the conditions, yeah.

Q. You were asked earlier, you mentioned Mackie, there's a whole group of American men moving forward. You will face another one next. How well do you know some of these other guys, including Tommy? It's such an individual sport. Is it silly to think that there can be a connection there or some kind of momentum there or something where you help each other or see what each other does and that can give you a boost?

JENSON BROOKSBY: I mean, I think for some of the Americans it's different than others. I wouldn't say I'm as more of a social guy in that aspect. Like a few of them are my friends, for sure. They're good guys. But I wouldn't say I'm as much of a talker.

But at least for me, it's, you know, from my perspective, I think we all push each other to really get better, regardless of each guy's situation. I think that's shown in a lot of the guys having strong results lately.

Q. How did you sort of size up your progress last year? How did that affect what your goals were heading into this tournament and this year in terms of what you want to accomplish?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Yeah, I mean, I sat down with my team and we chatted a little bit. You know, kept it pretty simple, I think, of, you know, it being my first full year on the tour, like I've said before. There's a lot of different things you've had to learn going into that.

I think it's just not making the same mistake twice in any part of the process is really important, and what things to keep the focus on, regardless whether you're at home training or on the road. Dealing with different situations, how to handle that better I think is the biggest goal of this year.

Q. What about coming into this tournament? Did you have specific results-oriented goals, or is it more of a process?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Not really for me. I mean, I believe I'm a great competitor and I want to win every time I step on the court. But in terms of results-based, I didn't really set any certain goals. Obviously I want to win big matches and get as high as I can, and I believe I can.

I didn't set any, in terms of ranking goals, but I was confident with my first tournament of the year in Auckland, with a solid result there, making the semis. I just wanted to keep building off that heading into this tournament, and so far I've done that.

Q. I just wanted to ask about when Andy Murray tweeted about you, like when you were first breaking on to the tour, were you not even aware of it?

JENSON BROOKSBY: Oh, I do remember that, like last year, right? Yeah.

Q. Did your emotions build up? Did it feel like that put pressure on you? Caroline Garcia, when he tweeted about her sort of 11 years ago, she's talked about how it kind of put the pressure on her a little bit.

JENSON BROOKSBY: I wouldn't say that specifically put any pressure on me. I do think as you rise in the rankings, you're naturally going to feel more pressure each match and each tournament if you develop into becoming the favorite, and that's something you'll have to handle if you want to be great. That's something I want to get in that situation to handle it.

But, you know, from Andy, that was great to see when he commented that. He's a great guy. I've seen him in the locker room. He's a great guy. Anyway, yeah.