Retiring British tennis star Dan Evans has taking a parting shot at Wimbledon organisers after seeing his long career come to a sad end at the All England Club. Evans bid an emotional goodbye to fans after he and Henry Searle crashed out in the first round of the doubles, going down 6-2 6-4 to Hugo Nys and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
It came after Evans was controversially overlooked for a wildcard in the men’s singles draw ahead of his final tournament. And his farewell match on the hallowed Wimbledon grass ended in more despair after the 36-year-old’s doubles contest was scheduled on one of the tiny outside courts, in another head-scratching move from organisers.
Retiring British tennis star Dan Evans (pictured left with Novak Djokovic in 2025) bid an emotional goodbye to the sport (R) after crashing out in the first round of the Wimbledon doubles. Pic: Getty/tamaraprenn
(Getty)
The outspoken Evans has never been a darling of British tennis’ governing body, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). But the former Davis Cup winner was hoping to bow out of the sport in front of a huge crowd at his home tournament. Instead, it was only around 300 fans that packed into Court 15 to pay their respects to the British journeyman.
Evans been a long-standing servant for the country, providing fans with plenty of grand slam and Davis Cup memories over the years. But after snaking his way past supporters around the densely packed outside court, he took another sly dig at the scheduling move from organisers. “It was all a bit fitting for how the last month has gone for me,” Evans said after farewell match on the outside court.
The British journeyman has so often risen to the occasion on the biggest stage, but his recent form goes some way to justifying his wildcard snub. Evans made it to the second round at Wimbledon last year, but suffered a straight-sets defeat by Novak Djokovic in the second round.
And after a slide down the rankings in recent times, the former World No.21 was overlooked for wildcards in three grass court tournaments. Wimbledon’s snub came after he also failed to gain a wildcard for the Challenger event in Ilkley and the prestigious Queen’s tournament – with Evans failing to get through in qualifying for all three.
Dan Evans leaves the court for the final time after doubles defeat at Wimbledon in his farewell match. Pic: Getty
(Adam Davy – PA Images via Getty Images)Dan Evans takes parting shot after farewell match
Regardless, he was furious with the LTA after describing it as a “disrespectful” move from the governing body after his years of service to the sport. “I enjoyed playing Davis Cup for my country more than I can tell you. It’s the best thing ever. But the last month has been nothing short of a shambles from them (LTA),” Evans said.
“Nobody has given me a decent reason [for the lack of singles wildcard]. If they said, ‘Listen, you’re a bit overweight right now, you’re a bit out of shape’… But nobody’s had the minerals to come over from the governing body, who I think I have done plenty for, and given me an explanation.”
The LTA released a tribute to Evans on its website, but the 36-year-old said he has heard nothing else from the governing body about his tennis farewell. “I have not seen any of them. Serious,” he added. “No one spoke to me this week. No one has congratulated me on my career this week.”
with agencies