Former World No. 33 Jenson Brooksby recently opened up about his autism diagnosis, which he has lived with since the age of two and a half. The American was once regarded as one of the brightest talents of his generation, reaching his career-high ranking at just 21 years old and securing a couple of wins against top-5 players.
However, his career was abruptly halted when he received a suspension for missing three doping tests within a 12-month period. Initially banned until January 2025, Brooksby successfully appealed his case, and his suspension was shortened, allowing him to return in January this year.
Brooksby Reveals Autism Diagnosis in Candid Interview
The American plans to make his comeback at the Challenger event in Canberra to regain match fitness before heading to Melbourne, where he will use his protected ranking to compete in the Australian Open. This news came to light following the release of the tournament’s entry list.
In a recent interview with The Independent, the now 25-year-old player addressed his autism diagnosis for the first time, revealing that he was non-verbal until the age of four:“It’s ... just something I don’t want to have to keep to myself,” he shared.
“It’s obviously a personal topic that, even with people you may feel very comfortable with — in my mind, at least for a long time — it wasn’t (something) to just go blurting out as part of a conversation, you know? But I’ve always thought about it and ... I, eventually, just wanted to talk about it.”
Brooksby spent about 40 hours a week with therapists as a child “to be able to even just start talking ... (and) then to get better at communication and social situations.”
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The American credits his autism for giving him “great strength” to handle “high-pressure moments” on the court, explaining that he focuses on “two or three specific details really well for a long period of time.” However, he acknowledged that it also “makes (tennis) a little tougher” when dealing with frustrations during matches.
Brooksby was suspended by the ITA in 2022, not for testing positive for banned substances, but for missing three drug tests within a year. He attributes one of the missed tests to a lack of communication with a doping control officer in the Netherlands, stating that it “was not due to any negligence on (the player's) part.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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