Eubanks can be a smiling superstar, says Blake

LONDON : As a personable young Black man suddenly thrust into the spotlight as the next big thing in American men's tennis, James Blake knows exactly what Chris Eubanks is going through as he enjoys the ride of his tennis life at Wimbledon.

Eubanks is into his first Grand Slam quarter-final after beating fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas on Monday but it is not just his demolition ball forehand that has brought him a legion of new fans. Something of a rarity in the cut-throat world of international sport, Eubanks plays with a smile on his face.

In the hyper-tense final moments of Monday's win he strung together three shocking mishits that would have shamed a parks player but the 27-year-old merely threw up his hands and laughed along with the crowd.

"I've always thought that being yourself on the court really endears you to fans," Blake told Reuters at the All England Club. "Eubanks is genuinely like that and I think that shines through to the fans, that he's having fun out there. They're there to be entertained and he's just having a great time.

"Don't get me wrong, he's got the work ethic, but he's also having a good time while he's doing it and I think that's going to shine through and I think fans are going to really appreciate that and gravitate towards him."

Eubanks had never got past the second round at a Grand Slam and this is his first year in the main draw at Wimbledon so it is no surprise that he is enjoying the experience. As a commentator for the Tennis Channel he is more used to watching the latter stages of big tournaments from behind a microphone.

"I hope the cameras follow him because he's going to be one of the stars who ends up on the side of a bus," said Blake. "A year ago he was playing Challenge Tour trying