“In a strange way, I’m happy it’s over”: Dan Evans retires with a last shot at the LTA
Dan Evans ended his career with a doubles defeat at Wimbledon and a scathing attack on the LTA, the former world No. 21 and Davis Cup stalwart denied a farewell singles wildcard he felt his years of service had earned.
Dan Evans, Wimbledon | © Action Plus / PsNewz
Dan Evans ended his professional career at Wimbledon on Wednesday and did not go quietly, the 36-year-old using his farewell press conference to launch a blistering criticism of the Lawn Tennis Association over its handling of his final grass-court season.
Evans bowed out with a 6-2, 6-4 doubles defeat alongside Henry Searle on Court 15, having already lost in singles qualifying after being refused a main-draw wildcard. It was a fitting, if deflating, coda to a career of genuine substance.
Evans reached a career-high of world No. 21 in 2023, the year he won the biggest title of his life in Washington, a tournament he then chose not to defend, opting instead to play Olympic doubles with Andy Murray for Great Britain, a choice that feeds his frustration today.
He twice reached the second week of a Grand Slam, at the 2017 Australian Open and the 2021 US Open, and was for years a fixture of Britain’s Davis Cup team.
That last detail sharpened the grievance. In the days before Wimbledon, social media had revisited the choices Evans made to represent his country – including passing up ranking points and prize money to prioritise Davis Cup and national duty over personal advancement.
Wimbledon snub was not the first of the summer
Against that backdrop, being left out of his home Grand Slam struck many as a poor way to send him off. The final main-draw wildcard went instead to Harry Wendelken, the world No. 224.
The Wimbledon snub was not the first of the summer, either. Evans had already been denied a main-draw wildcard at Queen’s, receiving only a qualifying place, and had voiced his bemusement then, noting that he had hoped years of service to British tennis might earn him a farewell in the main draw. The Wimbledon decision compounded it.
It was the absence of an explanation, rather than the decisions themselves, that angered him most. “I just don’t understand the reasoning, and nobody has given me a decent reason,” he said. “Nobody has had the minerals to come over from the governing body, who I think I have done plenty for, and given me an explanation.”
He was scathing about the silence in his final week. “No one spoke to me this week. No one has congratulated me on my career this week,” he said. “The last month has been nothing short of a shambles from them. That’s the bottom line.”
Communication is a big thing in tennis. That’s my point
Told the Ilkley wildcards had all been allocated, he was unconvinced. “I have been playing tennis for 16 years on the tour, and I have always known the wildcards aren’t given out on a Monday,” he said. “Don’t give me some nonsense answer.”
He drew a pointed contrast between his own contribution and the treatment he received, noting he had been coaching Searle – the 2023 Wimbledon junior champion – while injured. “I was out there helping another Brit,” he said. “Communication is a big thing in tennis. That’s my point.”
Told of the online tributes, including one from Murray, Evans was gracious but unmoved on the substance. “It’s nice that you feel appreciated,” he said, “but I don’t think we should play tennis to get validation.” He spoke warmly of Davis Cup as his career highlight. “I enjoyed playing for my country more than I can tell you. It’s the best thing ever.”
For all the anger, he professed a strange peace. “In a strange way, I’m happy it’s over,” he said, smiling. “The door closes, and another chapter starts.” Asked how he would feel waking up retired, he grinned. “I can tell you what I’ll feel: hungover.”
