What are the secrets to Jenson Brooksby’s success?
The 21-year-old pulled off a huge upset at the BNP Paribas Open on Monday, recovering from a tough start to beat World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Stadium 1 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
With the win, Brooksby is set to enter the Top 40 of the ATP Rankings for the first time, having been outside the Top 250 just a year ago. The American’s rapid rise has been all the more notable due to it not being spearheaded by any one specific aspect of his game.
“I think my superpower would be exploiting weaknesses in other people,” said Brooksby after the Tsitsipas win. “Also doing my best to have my own game have no flaws. [They are] the two things we shoot for in my game.”
Does the lack of a big weapon help Brooksby by allowing him to fly under the radar a little more? The American suspects so.
“I think I'm definitely underestimated,” said Brooksby. “Probably not by players, with the mentality [they] have.
“[But] I think definitely among fans, they just look for the flashy things like the technique, the athleticism, things like that. I don't think anything [in my game] really stands out. I think that makes me underestimated [by] a lot of people.”
Opponents are wise not to be complacent against Brooksby, who has already reached two ATP Tour finals, but his playing style nonetheless makes him a difficult prospect to prepare a gameplan for. Tsitsipas suggested as much after his third-round defeat in Indian Wells.
“He's not a very explosive player, but he's able to get balls back,” said the Greek. “He's not the most athletic player [either]. He's just able to read the game well, play with his pace, play with the opponent's pace. He's able to read the game well and stay consistent.
“There's nothing that he has that kills, I would say.”
Brooksby agrees with Tsitsipas’ assessment and believes keeping his strengths something of a mystery is working for him. “I think a lot of players and coaches maybe don't see how I could be, as good of a level as I am,” said the American. “That's what we shoot for in our games and strategy, to not be too easily figured out. That's how the top players over history have been.
“I'm not too surprised to hear that [from Tsitsipas]. It's what we shoot for.”
The next opponent tasked with solving the Brooksby puzzle in Indian Wells is defending champion Cameron Norrie, who battled past Nikoloz Basilashvili 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in a repeat of the 2021 final. It will be the pair’s first meeting and Brooksby hopes his game can wreak havoc against the Brit just like it did so effectively against Tsitsipas.
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Norrie comes into the match in red-hot form, however, and seems to be especially comfortable playing in the United States, where he played college tennis for Texas Christian University. The World No. 12 has won 11 matches in a row on American soil, stretching back to his title run in Indian Wells in October.
With an ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final spot at stake Brooksby could be forgiven for feeling the pressure, but as he showed when pushing 20-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic to four sets at the 2021 US Open, he is ready to thrive in big matches.
“Stages such as [the US Open quarter-final against Djokovic] are really what show the work you put in, the self-belief and confidence you have in your own game," said Brooksby.
“There's no doubt I wasn't intimidated but I believe, and I've shown I can beat anyone. I just have that focus every match and try to learn from everyone I've played against each time as well, whether I win or lose.”
