Brooksby overcomes adversity to claim maiden title in Houston
April 7 (Reuters) - Jenson Brooksby captured his maiden ATP title at the U.S. Men's 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. It's 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 tour's 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.
"I've had a lot of different life adversity, whether it's 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 you've had to face other difficult things in life.
"I'm just someone who hates to lose and loves to win in general - obviously tennis being most important, but even in other games, and that's just how I'm wired as a person.
"I just really love winning, so that transfers over into when I'm in tough positions and maybe you should lose in those situations, that I'm able to at least find a way out of it."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Hamilton backs Vasseur, Briton in for the long haul at Ferrari
MONTREAL, June 12 (Reuters) - Lewis Hamilton launched a passionate defence of Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur on Thursday and said that the Frenchman was key to his move to Maranello and his hopes for future Formula One success. Ferrari are second overall but have yet to win in nine races so far this season and there has been media speculation in Italy that Vasseur could be replaced, a suggestion the team has dismissed. "It's definitely not nice to hear that there are stories like that out there," seven-times world champion Hamilton said ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. "Firstly, I love working with Fred. Fred's the main reason I'm in this team and I got the opportunity to be here, which I'm forever grateful for. And we're in this together. "Things aren't perfect but for me, I'm here to work with the team but also with Fred. I want Fred here. I do believe Fred is the person to take us to the top." Hamilton said he did not think any change was on the cards, the speculation was "nonsense" and he would be against it anyway because it took time to embed new people and to adjust. "I'm here to win with Fred and he has my full support," he added. The Briton said he would also be racing for Ferrari for "several years", addressing separate speculation that he might be considering retirement. "I'm here for the long haul," he added. "There is no question where my head's at and what I'm working towards achieving for this team. So there's zero doubts." Ferrari have not won a championship since the 2008 constructors' title and Hamilton is seeking a record eighth after missing out controversially to Max Verstappen in the final race of 2021. He joined from Mercedes in January and has yet to stand on the podium in the red overalls, although he did win a sprint race in Shanghai in March -- a highlight of Ferrari's season so far. In Spain two weeks ago the 40-year-old finished only sixth and was overtaken by Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg, who was a surprise fifth. Hamilton said after that race that his Ferrari was the worst it had ever been but it emerged afterwards both he and teammate Charles Leclerc's cars had undisclosed issues that were affecting handling. "It was a bit of a relief to hear that," he said.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Tottenham appoint Brentford's Frank as manager
LONDON, June 12 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur named Thomas Frank as their fifth full-time manager in six years on Thursday with the Premier League club confirming they had hired the former Brentford boss on a three-year contract to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou. The 51-year-old Dane, who has been in charge of Brentford since 2018 and established them in the top flight, will take charge of a club that will take part in next year's Champions League after they won the Europa League last month in Bilbao. "In Thomas we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game," a club statement said. "He has a proven track record in player and squad development and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead." Australian Postecoglou's achievement in delivering Spurs' first trophy for 17 years was overshadowed by a woeful Premier League season which saw them finish 17th with 22 defeats, their worst campaign since the club were relegated in 1977. Frank began his coaching career with Denmark's under-age sides before taking charge at Brondby in 2013, leaving in March 2016 and in December that year joined Brentford as assistant to Dean Smith in the Championship (second tier). In October 2018, after the dismissal of Smith, Frank was appointed Bees manager. "From the moment he replaced Dean Smith, he understood what we were trying to build and his wisdom, coaching ability and emotional intelligence have helped transform the club," Brentford Director of Football Phil Giles said. "We will never forget Thomas, but now it is time to thank him and take the next steps in our journey with a new leader who we believe can be just as successful and influential." Frank has been impressive during his time at Brentford -- creating a high-scoring side who have punched above their weight since reaching the Premier League in 2021 via the playoffs. In their four Premier League seasons under Frank, Brentford have finished 13th, 9th, 16th and 10th and last term only four teams scored more than their 66 goals. A keen user of player data, Frank and his backroom staff have proved especially adept at unearthing gems and selling those players on for huge profits, such as forwards Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Said Benrahma plus goalkeeper David Raya Despite the outgoings, Brentford have managed to remain competitive in the top flight under Frank and last season were in the mix for European qualification. Forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa scored 39 Premier League goals between them last season and both could well be Tottenham targets during the close season. Frank has gained a reputation for his attention to detail and it is no surprise that his Brentford side scored inside 40 seconds in three successive league games last season. "We have a kick-off strategy and we tweak it from game-to-game. And as a mindset and philosophy, we like to get straight on the front foot and be positive," Frank said at the time. He now faces a completely different challenge at Tottenham and a fast start to his reign will be important to win over fans who felt Postecoglou should have been rewarded for winning a trophy by being given another season at the helm. Brentford assistant first-team coach Justin Cochrane, head of athletic performance Chris Haslam and first-team analyst Joe Newton are also joining Frank at Spurs, along with Andreas Georgson from Manchester United.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
USMNT standout Michael Bradley named Red Bulls II coach
June 12 - Longtime U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley was named the head coach of MLS NEXT Pro side New York Red Bulls II on Thursday. It is the first head coaching position for Bradley, 37, who worked on his father Bob Bradley's coaching staff with the Norwegian club Stabaek from 2023-24. Bradley will replace Ibrahim Sekagya, who was promoted Wednesday to a spot as an assistant coach for the Red Bulls' first team in MLS. It is a homecoming of sorts for Michael Bradley, who began his professional career in 2004 with the MetroStars, a forerunner of the current New York Red Bulls of MLS. "I couldn't be more excited to come back to where my professional playing career began," Bradley said. "This is a dream opportunity as a young coach. I'm looking forward to working every day with this talented group of players, and I'll give everything to help them take the next step in their careers. "I'm thankful to the club for the opportunity and can't wait to get started." Bradley played with Toronto FC in MLS from 2014-23, recording 16 goals in 258 matches and earning three All-Star nods. He earned 151 caps with the U.S. men's national team from 2006-19, scoring 17 goals and participating in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. He was the U.S. Soccer Player of the Year in 2015. Bradley's first match as head coach of Red Bulls II will be on June 21 against Carolina Core FC in High Point, N.C. "We are excited to welcome Michael to the club," said New York Red Bulls sporting director Julian de Guzman. "He had an incredible playing career and is one of the greatest American soccer players ever. "We see him as a promising coaching talent and look forward to supporting his development as he transitions to a career behind the touchline." --Field Level Media
