Brooksby overcomes adversity to claim maiden title in Houston

Jenson Brooksby captured his maiden ATP title at the U.S. Mens Clay Court Championship on Sunday with a stunning win over 2023 champion Frances Tiafoe to cap off a superb tournament which he began as a wild card in the qualifying rounds.

Victory was all the more sweet for the 24-year-old American who had lost a big chunk of his career due to a ban for missing drug tests and two wrist surgeries in 2023.

It means the world, Brooksby said after his 6-4 6-2 win over second seed Tiafoe.

It was one of my biggest goals ever since I have been a professional tennis player. It means a lot to have my first one. Its probably the best week of my life.

Having come into the tournament at number 507 following the major disruption of his career, Brooksby also became the third-lowest-ranked champion in the tours history since 1990.

He was hit with an 18-month ban in October 2023 for three whereabouts failures in a 12-month span but had the suspension reduced to 13 months on appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport after disputing the second missed test.

Hampered by injuries during and after the ban, he finally made his return to tennis at the Australian Open earlier this year and lost to compatriot Taylor Fritz in the first round.

Brooksby persevered and saved multiple matchpoints in three of his matches to prevail in Houston.

Ive had a lot of different life adversity, whether its on the court or off the court, Brooksby said.

So I think it makes these situations ... like, I still get nervous about them and somewhat tense for sure, but it gives you a different perspective once youve had to face other difficult things in life.

Im just someone who hates to