"My Autism Can Make Me Obsessed with Things," Brooksby Opens Up About His Disability
Diagnosed with autism in childhood, Jenson Brooksby has reflected on how he manages his disability daily alongside his life as a professional tennis player. After starting the year ranked outside the top 900, the American has been steadily climbing the rankings and now sits at No. 151. He notably won the ATP 250 tournament in Houston last April:
"Sometimes, our biggest challenges can become our greatest strengths. I would have loved to have had a role model in tennis to give me confidence, to show me that I could succeed even with autism. Whether in sports, tennis, or life in general, I think autistic people are very good at sticking to routines.
I work with goals. The biggest strength this disability gives me is the ability to focus on certain details at a very high level, which can be crucial in high-pressure situations.
If I agree with something in general and can stay consistent over a long period, it can set me apart from people who have ups and downs. My autism can make me obsessed with things beyond what I might want. I see my autism as a strength rather than a negative," he said in an interview with Tennis Channel.
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