“It’s definitely a personal topic, and it’s not (something) you just blurt out as part of a conversation, even with people you might feel very comfortable with – at least for a long time, I think. You know? ” said Brooksby, a Northern California native. “But I’ve always thought about it… and eventually I wanted to talk about it.”
Brooksby, who was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WDA) for missing a doping test and suffering multiple injuries from surgery, has not competed since the 2022 Australian Open.
The American, who had been banned for 18 months for missing three doping tests, had his sentence reduced by five months, backdated to the date he missed his third doping test. He was eligible to play this March, but has stayed off the court as he overcomes injuries and builds a new team.
He was considered one of the best men in the country at the time, with his disruptive and mercurial play, on-court intensity, and deft movement befitting his 6’4″ stature.
He is scheduled to compete in a challenger tournament in Canberra ahead of the Australian Open, which opens on January 12.
“I want people to know fully who I am. It’s just another part of me,” Brooksby said. “I spent a lot of time playing the game and thinking about a lot of things I had to do.”
