Quinn Finds Recipe For Balance, Just Not Ramen

Insight from the 2023 NCAA singles champion

By Grant Thompson

Ethan Quinn is living a whirlwind dream.

Last August, the American was No. 246 in the PIF ATP Rankings, struggling to earn consecutive wins on the ATP Challenger Tour. But now, the mature and well-spoken Quinn is at a career-high No. 82 and into the Cincinnati Open second round.

It was only two years ago when Quinn turned pro after winning the 2023 NCAA singles title as a freshman for the University of Georgia. Since then, it has been a blur — in and out of airports and hotels, soaking up life on the pro tour. That begs for some sense of home. For Quinn, that is stepping into the kitchen — even on the road.

“I like cooking because it kind of takes my mind away from tennis,” Quinn told reporters Friday after his 7-6(5), 6-4 first-round win against Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic. “Basically everything I cook is something that my mom would make for me when I was a kid. When I’m able to do that, it helps bring me back to where I came from, humble beginnings.”

Living out of a suitcase means that finding the time and resources to cook can be difficult, but Quinn seizes those moments when they come.

“Sometimes the pro tennis life can get really chaotic when you’re going to all these restaurants every single day, every single week, eating at the site,” said the Fresno, California native, who reached the Roland Garros third round as a qualifier. “Sometimes you don’t understand the value of just being centered with yourself and being alone. I enjoy that when I’m in the kitchen.”

Quinn gravitates towards Italian-inspired dishes, though he has been experimenting with Asian cuisine. One challenge remains.

“I’m really struggling with ramen,” Quinn said. “That’s the one I really, really want to try and figure out how I can perfect, but I don’t know if I’ll get there.”

Quinn’s cooking habits have not gone unnoticed among his peers. “There’s a ton of them that give me a lot of crap for it,” he added, cracking a laugh.

As part of the wave of American talent, Quinn has had a front-row seat to watch and learn from the country’s established stars. He points to Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul — the four highest-ranked Americans — as examples of the consistency he aspires to emulate.

“They’ve been to all these places countless times and they’re able to continuously come here and compete,” said Quinn. “I want to be one of those guys in a couple years where maybe the young guys coming up look at me like, ‘Man, that guy is consistently showing up to every single week and there’s never an easy out’.”

It’s not often that Quinn faces someone younger than him, but that will be the case Sunday when he stands across from 19-year-old Jakub Mensik, the 16th seed. The Czech won the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami this year in memorable fashion — defeating his childhood idol Novak Djokovic in the final.

Quinn is steadily building his own rise, and most of all he’s enjoying the journey. Even if his ramen is not yet perfected.

“It’s not every day where you’re a 21-year-old playing the sport you love across the world,” Quinn said. “I’m just trying to go out there with a smile on my face and even when I’m losing — just trying to enjoy where [I’m] at.”