Most tennis fans know the name Harrison. For a decade, it usually meant Ryan—the fiery talent who hit the top 20 and snagged a French Open doubles title. But honestly? The real story is the younger brother.
Christian Harrison shouldn't be playing professional tennis right now. Science says so. His medical chart says so. If you looked at his history of bone infections and surgeries, you’d assume he was a retired veteran with a bad hip, not a guy currently cracking the world’s top 15 in doubles.
He didn't just have one or two setbacks. He had eight surgeries before most people finished college. We’re talking hips, shoulders, wrists, and a bone infection in his femur that was so bad he basically had to relearn how to walk.
The brutal reality of the eight surgeries
Let’s be real for a second. Tennis is a sport of attrition. Most players retire if they have to go under the knife three times. Christian? He just kept going back to the hospital.
His injury list reads like a horror movie for athletes:
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- A bone infection in his left femur at age 14.
- Right hip surgery in 2013.
- Left hip surgery in 2014.
- Right shoulder surgery in 2014.
- Right wrist surgery in 2014.
- Two adductor surgeries (left and right) in 2014.
- Another left femur surgery in 2018.
Basically, 2014 was a total wash. He spent more time in a gown than in tennis whites. Most of us would’ve picked up a coaching gig or gone back to school. But Christian has this weird, quiet stubbornness. It’s kinda legendary on the tour.
Why the 2021 Delray Beach run changed everything
For a long time, Christian was "the brother of Ryan." Then 2021 happened. At the Delray Beach Open, everything finally clicked.
He came through qualifying. He won match after match. He ended up beating the number one seed, Cristian Garin, who was ranked in the top 25 at the time. He made it all the way to the semi-finals. He did it all while wearing a mask during changeovers—a move that actually sparked a bit of controversy back then—but the tennis was undeniable.
It was proof. It showed everyone that when his body actually worked, he was a top-tier talent. He wasn't just a "feel-good story." He was a problem for anyone on the other side of the net.
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The 2025 pivot: Becoming a doubles powerhouse
Fast forward to now. It’s 2026, and Christian Harrison has officially completed one of the most successful pivots in recent tennis history.
By the end of 2022, a foot injury at Wimbledon made it clear: the grind of singles was just too much for a body that had already given so much. So, he went all-in on doubles.
It worked.
In 2025, Christian didn't just play; he dominated. Teaming up with Evan King, he rocketed from outside the top 80 to a career-high of world number 15. They won titles in Dallas and Acapulco. They made a massive run to the semi-finals at Roland Garros. They even qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.
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Think about that. After eight surgeries, he was one of the eight best doubles teams on the planet.
What to expect in 2026
Things are changing again. For the 2026 season, Christian is pairing up with British star Neal Skupski. It’s a huge move. Skupski is a former world number one and a Wimbledon champion.
The fact that a guy like Skupski wants Christian on his side of the net tells you everything you need to know about Harrison’s reputation right now. He’s arguably the best "pure" returner in the doubles game. His hands at the net are electric.
Actionable insights for fans and players
If you're following Christian Harrison's career, there are a few things to keep an eye on this year:
- The Skupski Partnership: Watch how they handle the ad-court/deuce-court dynamics. Christian is a natural on the return, which should free up Skupski to do what he does best at the net.
- Ranking Pressure: Christian is defending a ton of points from his 2025 titles. If he stays healthy, a top-10 debut is almost certain.
- The "Body Budget": He’s training smarter now. No more five-hour practice sessions. It’s all about explosive movements and recovery.
Christian Harrison is the ultimate "don't quit" story. He’s 31 now, but in "tennis years," he’s much younger because he missed so much time in his 20s. He’s finally playing with house money.
If you want to keep up with his progress, follow the ATP live scores for the upcoming swing in Australia. He’s scheduled to play the major warm-up events before making a deep run at the Australian Open. Pay attention to his return games—that's where the match is won.