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British tennis star Dan Evans has criticized the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) for a lack of “class” and not giving him a wildcard for this week’s HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club ahead of his retirement.
Evans, who announced he will retire from tennis after this summer’s Wimbledon, was denied a main draw pass at this week’s ATP 500 event with the LTA choosing Jack Pinnington Jones, Arthur Ferry and Toby Samuel instead.
The 36-year-old made it to the qualifying event, but lost in three sets to American Marcos Giron, the former British No.1.
Evans, who was part of the British team that won the Davis Cup in 2015, said: “I think the wildcard is a good thing for the British. I would say you hope to serve your country enough years to maybe get one in your last tournament at Queen’s, but that’s not how they went.
“They went with some younger guys, and that’s their prerogative,” said Evans, who has dropped to world No. 244 amid injury problems.
“It’s an interesting topic at the moment, isn’t it? Wildcard,” Evans added. “It would have been the best gesture to give me a wildcard, but obviously that was lacking on this occasion and I was in the qualification.
“I entered the qualifiers here, and I got in at the last minute. I was offered a wildcard to qualify here. I was a bit confused that the LTA didn’t offer me for the main draw, myself, I obviously did last year (round of 16). It would have helped me a lot to get a few more days, but to start that preparation for the main draw, to start that energy again.”
Will Evans get a Wimbledon wildcard?
Evans is now waiting to find out if the All England Club will give him a Wimbledon wildcard in Tuesday’s main draw.
He has reached the third round at Wimbledon three times and lost to seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in the second round last year.
“I haven’t played a bunch of tennis, but again, that’s because of things out of my control,” he continued. “I got injured, and that’s why I’m obviously retiring, because my body wasn’t good, and I didn’t want to put myself through training anymore.
“I applied through the All England Club. If they give me one or not, it’s not my business. I’m obviously a temporary member there, so I hope it helps. I use the club year-round. Again, I think I’ve helped British tennis a lot, off the court and on the court. Qualifying, and I’m able to qualify.”
Evans is working with 2023 Wimbledon boys’ singles champion Henry Searle and feels he has been “not taken seriously”.
He added: “I think what some people forget is that I’m a professional tennis player, and if I wasn’t prepared or ready to play or fit to play, I wouldn’t be able to play. And that’s the thing that’s so frustrating at the moment, because I’ve helped another Brit when he’s injured, not taken as seriously as I am.”
Sky Sports has contacted the LTA for a right of reply about Evans’ quote.
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