Jenson Brooksby was understandably delighted after claiming his first ATP Tour title after beating Frances Tiafoe at the Houston Open.

The 24-year-old originally started the tournament as a wildcard, but completed an incredible run with a 6-4 6-2 victory against the no.2 seed and 2023 champion on Sunday

"It means the world. 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.

"Thank you to my team. All the way from qualifying, match point down," Brooksby said during the trophy ceremony. "That's pretty intense, so thanks for sticking with it, every match, every day here for me.

Brooksby had to do things the hard way, having had a four-game lead wiped out by Tiafoe in the first set before winning eight of the final 10 games.

He won the first set while falling to the floor after a perfect volley, before executing a backhand shot to break for 4-2 in the second set. Two more games followed for Brooksby, who thanked those who had followed him from the beginning.

"The support has been amazing since round one of qualifying. Thank you, everybody. I've loved the support here and it's great to be back in Texas," he said.

507 - Since the inaugural season of the ATP Tour in 1990, Jenson Brooksby (#507) is now the third-lowest ranked player to win an ATP event after Marin Cilic (#777, Hangzhou 2024) and Lleyton Hewitt (#550, Adelaide 1998). Return.#USClay | @mensclaycourt @atptour @ATPMediaInfo pic.twitter.com/2mSZcENLsY

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) April 6, 2025

Having suffered wrist injuries and missed 13 months due to a ban after missing a drug test, this victory was all the more sweet for the 24-year-old.

"I've had a lot of different life adversity, whether it's on the court or off the court," he 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."