Who among us can remember where we were a year ago? Chris Eubanks can. Then 26, he was finding cheap flights to South Korea and pinballing around college campuses, playing small challenger tennis events. It was all in service of amassing points—and $1,300 here, $4,200 there—to sustain his professional career and, ideally, crack the ATP’s top 100.
With a quick wit, a perceptive eye and a personality impossible not to like, he was also starting to distinguish himself as a broadcasting talent for Tennis Channel—where, full disclosure, he and I sometimes worked together. If the tennis didn’t pick up, Eubanks was pondering swapping locker rooms for green rooms.
To traffic in understatement, 2023 was a good year for Big Banks. The Georgia Tech grad made more than $1 million over the last 12 months. He won an ATP title in Mallorca, Spain, reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, and is now ranked No. 34, potentially in line to be seeded at the next major. Much like hitting his target with his thunderous serve, he found that sweet spot between enjoying the trappings and opportunities and courtside seats that come with ascent, while keeping perspective and respecting that success can be a fickle mistress.
