Tennis star, 24, who battled severe autism and was banned over drugs tests becomes third-lowest ranked ATP title winner
JENSON BROOKSBY became the third-lowest ranked ATP title winner in history by beating Frances Tiafoe 6-4 6-2 in yesterday’s Houston final.
The American, 24, showed fighting spirit to save match points in three of his matches on the way to winning the tournament.
Brooksby’s win was an inspirational one for fans around the world, with the former world No.33 having previously bravely opened up on his battle with autism.
In December, the Delaware-born star revealed that he had been “diagnosed on the severe end of the spectrum as a very young child” – and that he had been non-verbal until he was four-years-old.
He received intensive therapy, sometimes as much as 40 hours per week, from the age of just two.
And Brooksby believes that his difficult start in life is now serving him well on the court.
Following his win against Tiafoe, he told ATP media: “I’ve had a lot of different life adversity, whether it’s on the court or off the court.
“So it makes these situations… I still get nervous about them and somewhat tense for sure, but it gives you a different perspective once you’ve had to face other difficult things in life.”
Brooksby burst onto the scene in 2021 when he reached the fourth round of the U.S. Open as a wildcard and even took a set off Novak Djokovic.
But his career subsequently hit the buffers, as he was suspended from tennis for missing three drugs tests in 12 months.
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Reflecting on his ban in conversation with the BBC, Brooksby admitted that he believes his condition contributed to his missed tests.
He said: “I’ve had my agent keep track of where I will be every day, because it’s hard for my brain to be able to focus well on many different things.
“It’s a positive for me to be able to focus on a few simple things. But a downside is that there can be so many things going on for us players it’s hard for my mind to be able to wrap around that.
“I have had so much time to reflect on it, and it’s in the past. I’m pretty much at peace with it.”
Brooksby’s ban was reduced from 18 months to 13 months upon appeal, making him eligible to play again in March 2024.
But he did not return to action until this year’s Australian Open, due to persistent shoulder and wrist injuries.
Having questioned whether he would even be able to return to the sport as recently as last October, Brooksby has now entered the exclusive club of tour level title winners.
Known for his quirky game style, a variety of unorthodox slices and a brilliant ability to redirect pace, Brooksby went into Houston at No.507 in the ATP rankings, requiring a wildcard to even enter qualifying.
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Brooksby saved a match point in the first round of the qualifying event against Federico Gomez, before going on stave off three consecutively against third seed Alejandro Tabilo in round two of the main draw.
He then repeated his Houdini act once again against top seed Tommy Paul in the semi-finals.
Brooksby got off to a perfect start on finals day, racing into a 4-0 lead against Tiafoe with some blistering tennis.
His former U.S. Open semi-finalist opponent didn’t lie down, however, coming roaring back to level the first set at 4-4.
Tiafoe then had opportunities to break, but Brooksby kept his cool to hold serve before breaking in the very next game to take the opening stanza.
He then never looked back after breaking in the sixth game of the second set, racing away to deservedly take the match 6-4 6-2.
After his win, Brooksby said on the court: “Thank you to my team. All the way from qualifying, match point down. That’s pretty intense, so thanks for sticking with it, every match, every day here for me.”
Brooksby’s title win has seen him climb more than 300 places in the rankings to No.172.
And on the evidence of Sunday’s performance, no one will be keen on having to face the in-form comeback king.