Chris Eubanks’ spellbinding debut surge to the Wimbledon quarter-finals has earned the 2023 OPPO Breakthrough Inspiration Award, as chosen by the fans.
The American receives the award after producing the best Grand Slam performance of his career to date – the latest milestone in a 2023 season in which he had already broken into the top 100 in April and won his first ATP title in Mallorca on the eve of The Championships.
Having previously lost in Qualifying four times, Eubanks maintained his newfound form on his maiden appearance in the main draw. He beat last year’s semi-finalist Cameron Norrie and two-time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas en route to the last eight, where he fell in five sets to No.3 seed Daniil Medvedev.
Eubanks also hit a Championships-record 321 winners in his five matches, gaining fans worldwide with his swashbuckling style of play, crowd-pleasing reactions after big points and heartfelt post-match interviews.
“I feel like I’m living a dream right now – this is absolutely insane,” an elated Eubanks said following his five-set fourth round victory over Tsitsipas – his ninth consecutive win on grass, having struggled to make an impact on the surface prior to 2023.
“The grass and I have had a very... strenuous, I would say, relationship over the years. But right now, I think it’s my best friend.”
Now in its fourth year, the OPPO Breakthrough Inspiration Award recognises those players who have surpassed expectations and captured imaginations at The Championships, with a shortlist of candidates put to a public online vote.
Shortlisted alongside Eubanks were Mirra Andreeva, the 16-year-old who reached the fourth round on her Wimbledon debut; Marta Kostyuk, who beat No.8 seed Maria Sakkari and former world No.2 Paula Badosa back-to-back in week one; and fellow 21-year-old Jiri Lehecka, who knocked out seeds Francisco Cerundolo and Tommy Paul to reach the second week at The Championships for the first time.
There was only one winner in the eyes of the public, with Eubanks receiving over 70 per cent of votes cast.
At 27, Eubanks is the oldest recipient of the OPPO Breakthrough Inspiration Award. The American’s compatriot and friend Coco Gauff, who was courtside to support Eubanks during his campaign, was the inaugural winner following her run from Qualifying to the fourth round at the age of 15 in 2019.
An 18-year-old Emma Raducanu was chosen by fans in 2021 following her run to the last 16, while current world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz, then 19, received the award following his 2022 quarter-final run. Both the Briton and the Spaniard went on to win the US Open a matter of weeks after their breakthrough displays at The Championships.
As good omens go, no doubt Eubanks would be delighted to follow suit in New York. But for now, there is still time to revel in his revelatory Wimbledon campaign.
“Thank you for allowing me to fulfil my childhood dream,” Eubanks wrote in the wake of his quarter-final run. “Thank you to all the family, friends, and fans who reached out and showed support. Wimby 2023 will always have a special place in my heart.”
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