American ATP star Jenson Brooksby fights autism while staying grounded in tennis

Jenson Brooksby, once seen as one of America’s rising tennis stars, is making a comeback this 2025 season after facing several setbacks that slowed his career. 

Ranked No. 33 at the age of 21, Brooksby dealt with injuries, surgeries, and a doping ban that caused his ranking to drop. 

Moreover, in December 2024, the athlete also shared a personal story he had kept to himself for years: he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a child. In a social media post, he shared: “It’s time for me to share something that I have kept quiet for my entire life. This is my story.”

Sports as his comfort 

The athlete, who didn’t speak until he was four, found comfort in sports. He admitted: “Sport was a big release for me. If I sit for a long time, I get a lot of energy.” Moreover, his therapist, Michelle Wagner, called his progress “unusual and unique”.

 

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Banned from tennis 

Unfortunately, in 2023, Brooksby was banned for missing three doping tests in a year. Though his team argued that a mix-up led to the violation, the athlete took responsibility and stated: “It’s hard for my brain to focus on many things, so I have my agent track where I will be each day.”

Brookby’s comeback 

At the age of 24, Brooksby now returned to action at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open, winning his first tour-level matches in over two years. Despite losing to Jack Draper in the third round, Draper showed support for his fellow athlete by saying: “Good to have a great player back.”

Brooksby’s story shows that with hard work and self-acceptance, it is possible to overcome both personal and professional challenges, if one is truly willing.