Christopher Eubanks in the fourth round of Wimbledon 2023, UK
Christopher Eubanks in the fourth round of Wimbledon 2023, UK | (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Tennis | Wimbledon 2023 | Day Ten Talking Points: Christopher Eubanks reflects on ‘whirlwind’ Wimbledon run, Aryna Sabalenka talks Wimbledon memories

By Tony Fairbairn At Wimbledon

  • Christopher Eubanks reflected on a ‘whirlwind’ Wimbledon run after his quarter-final exit to Daniil Medvedev
  • Aryna Sabalenka talks about her childhood memories of Wimbledon after reaching the semi-finals
  • Elena Rybakina speaks about title defence after Wimbledon exit
LONDON, ENGLAND – Christopher Eubanks reflected on his ‘whirlwind’ run to the quarter-finals while Aryna Sabalenka spoke about childhood memories on day ten of Wimbledon.

 

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Christopher Eubanks reflects on ‘whirlwind’ Wimbledon run

Our day ten talking points start with Christopher Eubanks after the American’s Wimbledon run came to an end after a five set defeat to Daniil MedvedevEubanks took a two sets to one lead before Medvedev came back power into the semi-finals where he will face Carlos Alcaraz.

However despite the defeat, it has been an incredible run for Eubanks which saw him win Mallorca and reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final. Speaking after defeat, Eubanks described the run as ‘whirlwind’ and spoke about his emotions after reflecting on an incredible two weeks.

“It was definitely a fun match to be a part of. I think the fans definitely got their money’s worth of entertainment and good quality tennis,” Eubanks explained.

“Just got edged out. Daniil is one of the best players in the world, one of the toughest players to beat for a reason. I think he showcased that well. He played exceptionally well in clutch, fourth set breaker. Played really, really well in the fifth.

“I think I’ve said it before, but it’s been like such a whirlwind of emotions and trying my best to kind of block everything out and just focus on the match. But I think this morning it did kind of sit in a little bit after I woke up, just realising that, Man, I’m getting ready to play a Grand Slam quarterfinal today. That’s really, really cool.

“I think that was kind of the first time — even in Mallorca winning the title – that I really took a step back to realise the moment. I quickly tried to lock back in, focus, What’s going to be the plan today against Daniil? Kind of try to go back to the same mindset I had had of blocking everything out. But I did have about 5 or 10 minutes this morning in which I sat back and said, Wow, so many people from all over the world have been supporting me throughout this run.

“I woke up realising I had to play a Grand Slam quarterfinal. I thought that was a really, really cool, cool thing.”

Eubanks’ run means as things stand he will be seeded for the US Open later this year as he finally realises what he has achieved over the past three weeks. The American also acknowledged what this run will do for his self-belief going forward as he looks to carry the momentum into the US hard court season.

“In terms of what it’s going to do, I think it’s going to encourage me to continue to enjoy the process that I’ve been doing, especially over the past year I would say,” Eubanks said in his press conference.

“Just continue to train harder. It’s super cliché, but it’s like I want to continue to feel this feeling. If I know the work that I’ve been doing over the past 12 months played a part, contributed to me having the success I had here, there’s no point in stopping it now. If anything, I want to do a little bit more.

“I want to be a little bit more diligent about the treatment I’ve been getting, I want to be a little more diligent about my fitness, those types of things. I think it just serves as motivation to continue to do the things I’ve been doing.

“Certainly. I would say I definitely believe a lot more in my ability to contend with some of the best players in the world. It’s tough to really know until you’ve played some of the best players in the world. At this point I played Sinner, played Medvedev twice, played Tsitsipas, I played Casper, Holger French Open this year.

“I’ve played some of the best players in the world. I’ve seen how my game stacks up against them, how I can disrupt them, how I can frustrate them. Sorry, Norrie, as well, who has been top 10. I think it just gives me added confidence in my ability that I know I can compete with some of the best players in the world, whereas maybe I didn’t fully know or believe that before.”

Eubanks will look to take his confidence into his next tournament in Atlanta which starts on 24 July.

 

 

Sabalenka talks childhood memories ahead of Jabeur clash

Onto the women’s draw and Aryna Sabalenka is into her second Wimbledon semi-final after defeating Madison Keys in straight sets. The Australian Open champion will play Ons Jabeur in the last four as she looks to reach her first Wimbledon final.

Wimbledon holds a special place in Sabalenka’s heart as she told the media after the match as she reflected on her childhood.

“I remember myself, I don’t know, 14 or 15 years old going on my practice with the headphones listening to music and, like, dreaming becoming one of the best players in the world, dreaming about lifting this beautiful trophies,” Sabalenka explained.

“I mean, that’s something unbelievable. That’s something what really motivates me a lot, that I was able to become one of the best. I’m competing on the high level. So that’s something big for me. I mean, I’m going to do everything I can to lift this beautiful trophy.”

Sabalenka is hoping that she can seal her second Grand Slam title of the season as she looks to achieve a childhood dream. Next for Sabalenka is Jabeur on Thursday in the semi-finals and the second seed explained what makes the Tunisian so tough to play against.

“I felt like she’s going to do well here because she played unbelievable tennis on practice court,” Sabalenka recalled her pre-tournament practice session with Jabeur.

“I know it’s different on practice than on match. She was able to bring this level on matches. It’s not like I didn’t expect that. Yeah, she’s a great player. We always had tough battles against each other, very close matches. I really looking forward for this great battle.

“She has really good touch. Especially on the grass court, all her slices, drops-hots work really well here on grass court. I feel like mentally she’s really strong. She’s making the history. I think this is the biggest motivation for her.

“That’s why she’s really doing well this season, and especially here at Wimbledon. So, yeah, I think her tricky game is really, really challenging to play against.”

Sabalenka will look to repeat the result from two years ago when the world number two won in straight sets at Wimbledon.

 

Rybakina takes positives as Alcaraz prepares to join the moment.

Finally there were contrasting results for defending champion Elena Rybakina and world number one Alcaraz on day ten. Starting with Rybakina, she lost in three sets to Jabeur as she couldn’t repeat the result from last year’s final.

However the Kazakh has had a positive two weeks as she was able to recover from illness to defend her title and spoke about the experience of being a defending champion at a Grand Slam.

“As I said from the beginning, it was kind of new challenge for me coming as a defending champion,” Rybakina admitted in her press conference.

“It’s of course different feeling. Actually really proud of first few matches because it’s not easy. I would say that every match I played was a little bit better than the other one. I think no matter the result of today, it was a positive few weeks for me here.

“Yeah, I just need to work a little bit more now before the U.S. swing. I will take a lot of positive from these two weeks.”

The final word of day ten goes to Alcaraz as he is now looking to enjoy the moment after beating Holger Rune to reach his first Wimbledon semi-final where he faces Medvedev.

“It’s a dream for me,” Alcaraz said in his press conference.“It’s a dream for me to be able to play semifinal here in Wimbledon. It’s really amazing feeling right now. I’m going to enjoy this moment.”

 

 

How to Watch/Follow Wimbledon 2023

TV Across BBC Channels & Red Button
Live Stream BBC Sport

 


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