US Open revamps mixed doubles format, adds $1 million prize to incentivize "biggest names in the sport"

In July, the 20-year-old American played his first ATP tournament, a 250 event in Newport, and reached the final. He played his first ATP 500 event in August in Washington, D.C., and reached the semifinals, followed by his first Masters 1000 event in Toronto, where he took a three-set first-round loss.

Now, he's into the second week of his first Grand Slam tournament and will play No. 1 Novak Djokovic on the biggest court in tennis, Arthur Ashe Stadium. But the way he's been moving up the ranks, it seems almost like a logical next step.

"It will be a great challenge. One of the toughest there can be. But I'm really believing in myself with what I'm showing so far," Brooksby told press at the US Open following his five-set, third-round win against Aslan Karatsev. "I got a great team around me to help me recover tomorrow. Yeah, I go to battle again on I'm sure Ashe, probably, I would assume. I mean, that will be really exciting. I'm sure it will be a full crowd."

Though Djokovic has dominated recent seasons and is going for his fourth straight Grand Slam title, Brooksby plans to approach this matchup just like he usually does.

"I don't really watch much or think about that too much," said Brooksby, who is ranked No. 99 entering the Open. "I'll have the best strategy I can against him and I'll believe in what I'm doing, just like any other match."

Advertising

Brooksby has wins over Felix Auger-Aliassime and Frances Tiafoe this summer.

But he hopes that Djokovic won't find it like any other match. Brooksby's unusual shots, like his backhand slice, and changing spins have earned him a lot of attention on tour.

"I think, yeah, just having the variety of shots, being able to place it in different spots, yeah, is a strength of mine," he said. "I've trained like that ever since I was young."

During his courtside interview, Djokovic noted that Brooksby was a player getting talked about in the locker room.

And Brooksby, who received a wildcard into the US Open, wants to show still more.

"I believe I have the game definitely to go all the way," he said. "I didn't put any expectations like reach a second week or anything. I don't really think like that. But I do have the confidence in myself that I can go really far in whatever tournament I play. Yeah, obviously the next one's another big match, but just try to prepare the same as all the others and try to give the best I can."