Christopher Eubanks Urges CoCo Vandeweghe to ‘Focus on Players’ and Not Herself in On-Air Argument

CoCo Vandeweghe retired in 2023, while Christopher Eubanks hung up his racket last year.

Christopher Eubanks Urges CoCo Vandeweghe to ‘Focus on Players’ and Not Herself in On-Air Argument

Coco Vandeweghe, Christopher Eubanks (Image via Wimbledon, The Hollywood Reporter)

In Short
  • Christopher Eubanks emphasized the importance of focusing on players rather than personal achievements during a discussion with CoCo Vandeweghe.
  • CoCo Vandeweghe criticized Taylor Fritz's decision to compete through injury, calling it "stupid."
  • Jack Draper is competing as the defending champion at the Indian Wells Open, which is the first mixed event awarding 1000 ranking points.

The first mixed event that awards 1000 ranking points to the winners is underway. It’s the Indian Wells Open, where Jack Draper is competing as the defending champion on the ATP side. On the women’s side, Mirra Andreeva crashed out after her three-set defeat to Katerina Siniakova in the third round.

During the tournament, former ATP player Christopher Eubanks and former WTA player CoCo Vandeweghe challenged each other in a serve speed contest. Vandeweghe was successful in smashing faster serves than Eubanks, who was struggling to reach 100 miles per hour.

Later during their discussion on Tennis Channel, Vandeweghe, a former World No.9, pulled Eubanks’ legs, asking him, “Chris, what do you have to say for yourself?” Eubanks responded with:

See, here is the thing about me and you, Coco. I don’t like to just bask in my own career and accomplishments. I like to focus on the players. I don’t want to talk about myself and what I did and what my serve was. I understand that we are a little different. I get that, but let’s just try to focus on the players. These are world-class athletes; that’s where the focus should be. Now I don’t want you and I, sitting up here in our little fancy clothes, trying to test our serve speeds. Let’s just try to focus on the players… not on you and I sitting up here in our little fancy clothes.

Vandeweghe did not stop there. But following her answer, Eubanks, instead of arguing further, simply rolled his eyes.

Well, the difference also between you and I is that I keep recreating a new career, and I just did it yesterday.

Vandeweghe called time on her career in 2023 after winning two singles titles. Eubanks joined her in the retirement list in December 2025 after winning one singles title.

CoCo Vandeweghe calls Taylor Fritz’s decision to play through injury stupid

Taylor Fritz has not fully recovered from a knee niggle, but despite that, he is playing one tournament after the other to avoid losing ranking points. Prior to the Indian Wells, CoCo Vandeweghe questioned his decision to feature in the first Masters 1000 of the season.

Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz (Image via X/Jose Morgado)

I think it’s stupid. I think it’s stupid because he had that knee injury that he had surgery on. And I know it’s a different injury and the oblique, but he’s way too young to be pushing himself through these injuries at these tournaments. I think, come a Grand Slam, absolutely. Push through it.

CoCo Vandeweghe said on the Big T Podcast

Fritz fell in the third round with a straight-set defeat to Alex Michelsen. The 28-year-old, who suffered a fourth-round exit in last year’s Indian Wells, won this trophy in 2022 by defeating Rafael Nadal. Fritz has yet to win a Big Title since that win. Last year in the Masters 1000 events, Fritz played just two semifinals.

In spite of his knee struggles, the 2024 US Open finalist played the final of the Dallas Open, losing the title to compatriot Ben Shelton. At this year’s Australian Open, Fritz crashed out after a straight-set defeat to Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round. Before arriving in the California desert, Fritz was defeated in the Delray Beach Open quarterfinals by compatriot Tommy Paul.

The World No.7 has yet to win a title since winning his fourth Eastbourne International title last year. In the 2025 season, he reached three finals, winning in Eastbourne and at the Stuttgart Open by defeating Jenson Brooksby and Alexander Zverev, respectively. He lost the Japan Open final to World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz.

Also read: Novak Djokovic Admits He Was Astonished at Carlos Alcaraz’s Level While Playing Golf With Him