“Obviously it’s a personal topic that, even with people you don’t feel very comfortable with — in my mind, at least for a long time — it wasn’t (something) that you just blurt out as part of a conversation, you know? ” said Brooksby, a native of Northern California. “But I’ve always thought about it and … finally, I wanted to talk about it.”
Brooksby, who faced a ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency for missing a doping test, as well as several injuries that led to surgery, has not played since the 2022 Australian Open.
The American, who was sentenced to 18 months for missing doping tests three times, had his sentence reduced by five months and postponed to the date of his third failure. He was eligible to play in March, but did not take the court as he worked through an injury and assembled a new team.
He was considered one of the top American men at the time, with his disruptive, off-kilter game and his tenacity on the court and the intelligent movement of his 6’4” frame.
He will play a tough match in Canberra before moving on to the Australian Open, which starts on January 12.
“I just want people to know who I am fully, and that’s another part of me,” Brooksby said. “I’ve had a lot of time off and I think I should.”
