Wimbledon star fumes 'it's a p*** take' in furious interview after being disrespected
Dan Evans launched a scathing attack on the Lawn Tennis Association during a tearful farewell to professional tennis at Wimbledon, criticizing the governing body for failing to explain why he was denied wildcard opportunities in his final weeks as a player.
The 36-year-old former British number one retired from the sport after losing in a doubles match on Court 15 with 20-year-old Henry Searle, whom he had been coaching. The pair fell 6-2 6-4 to Hugo Nys and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Evans played in front of around 300 spectators, a modest crowd in stark contrast to his role in helping Andy Murray bid farewell at Roland Garros earlier this summer.
Evans was overlooked for a wildcard at every pre-Wimbledon grass-court event, including Queen's and the Ilkley Challenger. He said he sensed the singles wildcard at Wimbledon was out of reach after failing in qualifying at Roehampton. "I can read people and they don't say hello to you and certain things. You have a fair idea and they keep that distance," he explained.
Less than an hour after stepping off court for the final time, Evans fumed about the lack of communication from the LTA. "I just don't understand the reasoning for and nobody has given me a decent reason," he said. "If they said Listen you're a bit overweight right now, like, you're a bit out of shape. But nobody's had the minerals or however you want to phrase it to come over from the governing body who I think I have done plenty for and given me an explanation."
Evans emphasized that tournament director Jamie Baker bore no responsibility for the decision, but questioned why nobody from the governing body had bothered to explain themselves. "I just think somebody could have come and you know sit down and spoke. Like jeez I paid enough. Like that's their job. And that's all," he said.
The Birmingham-born player was visibly emotional throughout his farewell, having claimed two titles during a career that included playing a pivotal role in Britain's triumphant 2015 Davis Cup campaign.