Just a week ago, Chris Eubanks himself wouldn't have predicted his current Wimbledon success. Reaching the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, let alone at the prestigious Wimbledon, seemed beyond his grasp. He previously questioned his ability to advance in tournaments, often wondering if he could even make it past a few rounds. Now, his mindset has shifted dramatically. He arrives at tournaments with a newfound confidence and high expectations, recognizing that he truly belongs among the tennis elite.

The 27-year-old American, making his Wimbledon debut, shocked the tennis world by defeating two-time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in a thrilling five-set match. The 3-6, 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory, achieved in just over three hours, propelled Eubanks to his first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal. The Atlanta native, who played college tennis at Georgia Tech, described the experience as surreal and a dream come true.

Eubanks' journey to Wimbledon has been nothing short of remarkable. Ranked 43rd globally, his win-loss record stood at a modest 6-10 before his recent triumph in Mallorca, Spain. Ironically, just a month prior, he had expressed his disdain for grass courts, referring to it as the "stupidest surface" in a text message to tennis legend Kim Clijsters. This sentiment quickly changed after his Mallorca win, with Eubanks now considering grass his "best friend."

Riding a nine-match winning streak, including victories over Tsitsipas and 12th-seeded Cam Norrie, Eubanks now faces a formidable opponent in third-seeded Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 U.S. Open champion. Medvedev acknowledges Eubanks' unique playing style, noting his fearlessness in approaching the net. This will be their second encounter, with Medvedev having won their previous match at the Miami Masters in March.

In only his ninth Grand Slam appearance, Eubanks has surpassed his previous best of a second-round finish. He even contemplated a career in television commentary, having worked with Tennis Channel. However, his recent success has solidified his place on the court. Eubanks admitted to being overwhelmed by the attention on social media but emphasized his focus on the upcoming match.

During his match against Tsitsipas, Eubanks engaged with the crowd, encouraging them to cheer louder. He displayed both confidence and nerves while serving for the match but ultimately secured the victory with a powerful ace and a forehand winner. Basking in the applause of the crowd, which included rising star Coco Gauff, Eubanks celebrated his remarkable achievement.