Loads has modified for Christopher Eubanks since he performed in his hometown occasion 12 months in the past.
This time final 12 months, the previous Georgia Tech star attracted little consideration as he raced from the Indianapolis Challenger to take his place within the qualifying draw, the place he misplaced within the first spherical to Britain’s Jack Draper in a good three-way match.
Quick ahead to 2023 and Eubanks returns to Atlantic Station as the principle title after his fairy story run to the Wimbledon quarter-finals that propelled him over 100 locations to thirty second in Pepperstone’s ATP rankings.
“I do not forget that sport in opposition to Jack as a result of I got here in very, very late from Indianapolis and the entire day was sort of a blur,” Eubanks mentioned.
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Removed from the anonymity of the qualifying rounds, Eubanks kicks off a marquee night time session on Tuesday that additionally options compatriot Ben Shelton, who made his skilled debut at Atlantic Station final 12 months. Eubanks will face 22-year-old American Andres Martin. (Apparently, the previous Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets adopted by on an earlier plan to coach collectively the weekend earlier than the draw.)
Eubanks mentioned he was delighted to have the chance to carry out in entrance of native followers along with his new profile.
“My entire tennis life has sort of centered across the metropolis of Atlanta,” he mentioned. “From the very first time I picked up a ball at my first junior match to the very first sport I performed in faculty. So there are plenty of plenty of recollections there.
“It is all the time thrilling to play in Atlanta as a result of I’ve all the time performed effectively. I had a few of my greatest instances right here as knowledgeable and as a university participant, even in juniors. I feel the circumstances go well with my sport effectively, so I am simply excited to go on the market and play tomorrow.”
Eubanks returned to Atlanta instantly following his quarterfinal loss to Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon. He took 4 days off earlier than returning to the gymnasium. He resumed coaching final Wednesday. One factor Eubanks believes was misplaced within the Wimbledon hype was his maiden ATP Tour title in Mallorca the week earlier than the foremost.
“After just a few days off, I used to be actually trying ahead to getting again to my routine and all of the issues that I feel contributed to my success, like being within the gymnasium, taking good care of my physique,” he mentioned. “So I simply tried my greatest to get again into it and use it as my predominant focus and never a lot the opposite stuff.
“It is exhausting to say if racing has modified my life, however I positively suppose it has modified my profession. Wimbledon positively lifted me up, however Mallorca additionally did an excellent job. So I feel it is a mixture of each. I feel Mallorca is sort of missed, clearly, due to the glitz and glamor of Wimbledon. However I feel Mallorca began me off on the correct foot, and Wimbledon simply allowed me to maintain that going.
