HOUSTON — Qualifier Jenson Brooksby clinched his first ATP Tour title on Sunday by overcoming Frances Tiafoe with a score of 6-4, 6-2 in the final showdown of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship.
Brooksby, a 24-year-old athlete hailing from California, displayed remarkable resilience throughout the tournament, saving five match points, including a pivotal one in his semifinal triumph over the highly-seeded Tommy Paul. In an impressive display of skill and determination, Brooksby managed to defeat the top three seeds in the tournament, which included No. 2 seed Tiafoe and No. 3 seed Alejandro Tabilo.
Entering the event ranked outside the top 500, Brooksby’s stunning performance in Houston is expected to propel him into the top 175 of the ATP rankings by Monday. This victory marks a significant milestone as he becomes the first American man to secure an ATP singles title this season. Furthermore, Brooksby is the first qualifier to win this particular tournament since Fernando Gonzalez of Chile achieved the feat back in 2000.
Brooksby made his return to professional tennis at the Australian Open in January, following a two-year hiatus. His absence was due to various challenges, including two wrist surgeries, a shoulder injury, a shift in coaching, and a suspension stemming from missed doping tests.
In December, Brooksby opened up for the first time about being diagnosed with autism as a child, a revelation he shared publicly, shedding light on his journey both on and off the court.