Who Is Ethan Quinn? 7 Must-Know Facts About Tennis’s Fast-Rising Phenom

American rising star Ethan Quinn is turning his maiden Roland Garros appearance into a breakout showcase, rewriting expectations just one year after leaving the college ranks. The 20-year-old former NCAA champion stormed into the French Open’s third round this week with a five-set thriller over Alexander Shevchenko in which he hammered 92 winners, a tournament-leading total that lit up social media and statistical dashboards alike. Quinn’s power-first style has long been touted as pro-ready, but even his own camp admitted the speed of his Parisian ascent has been “surreal.” Coach Brian Garber, who guided the Californian through a flawless qualifying campaign, credits an off-season spent training with Tommy Paul’s coaching team for sharpening Quinn’s movement on clay and bolstering his shot tolerance during extended rallies. The payoff arrived immediately: Quinn ripped through three qualifying matches, then dispatched veteran Thiago Seyboth Wild in the first round before outlasting Shevchenko in five sets on Court 14. “I’m learning every match,” Quinn told reporters, noting that operating without a collegiate dual-match safety net has forced him to solve problems on the fly. Next up is world No. 26 Tallon Griekspoor, a tour-hardened Dutchman whose heavy forehand and net instincts present a fresh tactical test. Quinn, however, welcomes the challenge, pointing to a “pack mentality” among the contingent of young U.S. players in Paris as extra motivation. “Seeing guys I grew up with winning here shows it’s possible,” he said. “Now I want my own deep run.” Key to that ambition will be first-serve percentage—an area where Quinn ranked inside the tournament’s top ten through the opening rounds—and the ability to finish points at net, an element honed during his University of Georgia days. If he maintains his current ace-count pace and keeps unforced errors in check, analytics suggest a legitimate shot at becoming the first American male qualifier to reach the Roland Garros second week since 1994. Beyond Paris, Quinn’s ranking is poised for a significant jump; the third-round payday guarantees at least a 40-spot climb, positioning him to enter the grass-court swing inside the ATP Top 80. That leap unlocks direct entry into Wimbledon qualifying and several summer hard-court events—prime stages for a player whose explosive forehand and athletic serve-volley instincts translate well to faster surfaces. For now, though, the focus is firmly on Griekspoor and the red clay beneath his feet. A win would extend Quinn’s stay in Paris and further cement his status as America’s next big tennis storyline, one forged not only in college trophy rooms but on the sport’s grandest international stage.