The final time an American man gained Wimbledon was in 2000 when tennis legend Pete Sampras defeated Patrick Rafter to earn his 14th Grand Slam title.
Rising American tennis star Christopher Eubanks is now giving the U.S. some hope because the 27-year-old participant surprisingly finds himself within the Wimbledon quarterfinals after a string of spectacular victories.
The world No. 43 upset No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas within the Spherical of 16 in 5 units to e-book his spot within the remaining 8 and earn a matchup in opposition to Russia’s Daniil Medvedev — the event’s third seed.
Forward of Wednesday’s quarterfinal conflict, listed below are 5 issues to learn about Christopher Eubanks:
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Eubanks hadn’t gone previous the second spherical of a Grand Slam earlier than Wimbledon
Eubanks is setting private information.
Forward of 2023 Wimbledon, his finest end in singles at a Grand Slam was reaching the second spherical on the Australian Open earlier this 12 months and the U.S. Open in 2022.
The one different time the American reached the quarterfinals was in doubles on the 2020 U.S. Open with fellow American Mackenzie McDonald.
Eubanks messaged Kim Clijsters for tips about grasscourt tennis
Who can Eubanks credit score for making it to the Wimbledon quarterfinals? Tennis legend Kim Clijsters.
Forward of Wimbledon, Eubanks messaged the previous WTA No. 1 saying, “Kim! Grass is the stupidest floor to play tennis on…”
Clijsters responded, ” Hello Chris, how come?” To which Eubanks mentioned, “It is probably not that silly. Simply annoyed with the inconsistent bounces when Im attempting to take the ball early. Plus the grass is sluggish and taking away from the effectiveness of my serve lol. Im gonna have an issue clear up a bit bit till I get again on the onerous courts.”
Clijsters gave some on level suggestions for Eubanks to use instantly and it is secure to say that the pointers labored.
Eubanks performed tennis at Georgia Tech
Go Yellow Jackets!
Eubanks attended three seasons at Georgia Tech earlier than forgoing his senior 12 months of eligibility to make a run on the professional tour.
He was simply the fifth participant in program historical past to be named a two-time All-American, ending with 90 profession wins with a win proportion of .732.
Georgia Tech is internet hosting a Wimbledon watch social gathering to cheer Eubanks on in his quarterfinal showdown on the Coda Courtyard, situated in Tech Sq. (756 W. Peachtree Avenue NW). The festivities start at 10 a.m. ET.
Eubanks was coached by his father at a younger age
Eubanks was coached by his father, Chris till he was 13.
The 6-foot-7 tennis star famous that he had been taking part in tennis since he would stroll together with a clip of himself out on the tennis courtroom.
“Folks for some motive have a tough time believing that I have been taking part in tennis since I may stroll. That is my dad and I at 3 not even taller than the online however hitting from the baseline. ???? IS LIFE! ????????????,” Eubanks wrote on Instagram again in 2014.
Younger Eubanks idolized tennis professional Donald Younger
After the Eubanks household moved from Chicago to Atlanta, they grew to become shut associates with tennis skilled Donald Younger and his household. Eubanks was simply beginning highschool on the time.
Eubanks started coaching with Younger’s mother and father and received some alternatives to hit with Donald — who was already prime 100 within the ATP rankings.
“After I received round Donald and received to get higher and higher, that’s once I received again to, ‘Possibly I may do that in the future,'” Eubanks mentioned about hits with one among his idols.