“Disrespect to Jannik Sinner”;”Delusional” – Fans slam Christopher Eubanks over ‘awful’ comparison between Coco Gauff & Italian at US Open
Fans Slam Christopher Eubanks for Comparing Coco Gauff’s Backhand to Jannik Sinner’s at US Open 2025
Tennis fans unleashed a wave of criticism on Christopher Eubanks during the 2025 US Open for comparing Coco Gauff’s backhand to that of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, calling the remark “disrespectful” and “delusional.” The controversy erupted after Eubanks, serving as an ESPN commentator, made the comparison during a panel discussion, prompting heated reactions on X and highlighting the polarized views on Gauff’s game following her first-round win on August 26 (*Sportskeeda.com*, August 27, 2025).
The Comparison and Backlash
Eubanks, a 29-year-old American player and pundit, stated during a US Open broadcast that Gauff’s backhand on the run “reminds me a lot of a player you know very well, killer in Jannik Sinner,” adding that her ability to deliver under pressure mirrors Sinner’s (*Sportskeeda.com*). Fans swiftly rebuked the claim, with one X post fuming, “American pundits are delusional. Disrespect to Jannik Sinner” (@TennisFanatic, August 26, 2025). Another wrote, “Comparing Sinner to Coco is like comparing Jameis Winston to Tom Brady” (@TennisVibes, August 26, 2025). Critics noted Sinner’s backhand consistency, with a 78% win rate on second-serve points in 2025, contrasts sharply with Gauff’s error-prone backhand, which contributed to 59 unforced errors in her 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5 win over Ajla Tomljanovic (*USOpen.org*). One fan conceded, “Eubanks’ commentary is usually solid, but this was an awful take” (@RallyPoint, August 26, 2025).
## Context of Gauff and Sinner’s Performances
Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, struggled with 10 double faults and 59 unforced errors in her first-round match, though her athleticism secured the win (*DailyMail.co.uk*, August 27, 2025). Sinner, meanwhile, dominated Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-1, 6-2, extending his 22-match hardcourt Grand Slam win streak (*@usopen, August 26, 2025*). Eubanks, who lost in the US Open qualifiers to Marco Trungelliti, has a history with Gauff, having partnered her for her first Grand Slam win in 2018 mixed doubles (*Sportskeeda.com*, September 8, 2023). His earlier praise of Gauff’s backhand on Andy Roddick’s *Served* podcast, comparing it to Sinner’s, was less controversial (*TheTennisGazette.com*, July 15, 2025).
