Brooksby out of Australian Open after testing positive

JENSON BROOKSBY
Photo by Paul Bauman

   Jenson Brooksby's first appearance in Australia will have to wait at least one more year.

   The rising star from Carmichael, Calif., in the Sacramento area has withdrawn from the Australian Open after testing positive for COVID, he revealed Sunday on Instagram.

   Brooksby, 21, wrote that he "was scheduled to fly out (Monday) but my coach and i tested positive for Covid this morning. ... It isn't easy to miss a slam; there are many out there who have suffered worse so I can't complain! I look forward to making my Aussie Open debut next year!"

   Brooksby was voted the ATP Newcomer of the Year for 2021 after soaring from No. 307 to No. 56 in the year-end rankings. He reached the fourth round of the U.S. Open, steamrolling top-ranked Novak Djokovic 6-1 in the first set before the 20-time Grand Slam singles champion dominated the last three sets.

   The Australian Open will begin Sunday at 4 p.m. PST (ESPN).