Chris Eubanks opens up about his “completely different reality” after Wimbledon breakthrough

FLASHBACK: Tennis Channel Live discusses Chris Eubanks continuing to rise up the rankings as he is currently slated to be seeded at the US Open next month.

Christopher Eubanks is back on home soil at the US Open, but things are much different this time around for the 27-year-old Atlanta native.

For one, Eubanks will be a seeded player at a Grand Slam for the first time, sitting at No. 28 after what he calls “the best year of my career”. And after his head-turning run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals, he’s also been getting recognized by fans and stopped for selfies a whole lot more these days.

“It’s amazing how things can change so fast… It’s been a completely different reality for me,” he he told Robin Roberts of Good Morning America in an interview on Wednesday. “I’m getting noticed a bit more now, going through the airport or going to restaurants. I’m just trying to proceed with life like I’ve always done it, but I’m saying that people are just recognizing me a little bit more.

“I didn’t know so many people loved tennis the way they do! So I think it’s really, really been cool.”

Eubanks is reaping the rewards amid a breakthrough 2023 season, which saw him signal his intent after reaching the Miami Open quarterfinals from qualifying—his best ATP Masters 1000 result to date. After lifting his first ATP Tour trophy at a 250-level grass-court event in Mallorca, Eubanks stunned the field a week later at Wimbledon by toppling the likes of No. 12 seed Cameron Norrie and No. 5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas on his way to the last eight.

During every step of the way, Eubanks says, he was inspired by the support he received from friends and peers—including Coco Gauff, who even sat in his player box to cheer him on at SW19.

“She’s like a little sister to me,” Eubanks told Roberts. “She’s always told me, for years, ‘You’re good enough for those guys, you just have to believe it’...

“So for her to sit there and watch what is, in essence, the biggest win of my career in the fourth round of Wimbledon, for her to walk through the grounds with her hat and sunglasses on and watch my quarterfinal from beginning to end? It’s tough on tour to really go out and support your friends, so for her to go out and support me in multiple matches means the world to me.”

With US Open main draw action set to start on Monday, Eubanks is still making sure to unwind and relish in the perks of his newfound status. The Tennis Channel commentator took in the hit musical ‘Hamilton’ on Tuesday night from a very unique vantage point—and enjoyed a star-studded meet and greet with the cast afterward, including composer Lin-Manuel Miranda and actor Miguel Cervantes, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

“I think it’s my third time seeing it live, but [last night] I actually got to see Act 1 from the music pit, which is really, really incredible,” he gushed. “To see how the production goes off, to see the musicians doing their job... I didn’t know I was going to be able to do that when I showed up! I just wanted to be able to see the play.”