Dan Evans said tennis was “the best drug in the world” after calling time on his singles career in Wimbledon qualifying. The former world No.21 played his final match in Roehampton, roughly three miles from the All England Club, and lost 7-5 6-0 to No.28 seed Tristan Schoolkate.
Reflecting on his career, the Brit said: “This is the wrong analogy, but it's probably the best drug in the world, winning and losing. You feel so good, and then match points and lose, you feel so bad, you think the world is over, but it really isn’t. One week, you can be awful, lose seven in a row, and you can then win Washington. It gives you a chance every week, which is like no other job or sport.”
Wildcard snub
Evans, 36, will play doubles with Henry Searle in SW19 next week before retiring for good, but did not get a singles wildcard. He added: “To be honest, I was over the wildcard. Listen, I knew the wildcard wasn't coming long before.
“I know a lot of the people in tennis who have big titles in that building over there [LTA’s National Tennis Centre]. I've grown up around pubs. I can read people. And they don't say hello to you, and certain things... You have a fair idea, and they keep their distance. I'm not the only one, either.
“So I knew it wasn't coming, and you know what? I actually really enjoyed that court, and without the wildcard, I wouldn't have got a chance. They actually helped me have a better experience than I thought I was gonna have, so it was amazing, and great fans out there, and hopefully some Brits are on that court tomorrow and qualify.”
Career reflections
The former British No.1 was part of the nation’s Davis Cup-winning squad in 2015 and teamed up with Andy Murray at the 2024 Olympic Games for Murray’s retirement. And he explained: “Well, I would imagine you should probably get a wild card into Ilkley Challenger in all due respect.
“So if you're not getting one there, I think you don't need to be a rocket scientist – which I certainly am not – to work out I wasn't getting one into the main draw of Wimbledon or getting any help. So, I wrote my letter, as well as I could – maybe my punctuation and grammar wasn't great. It got there at least. I know it got there.”
On a scorching day that saw record temperatures, the electronic line-calling system went down, suspending play for 90 minutes, and Evans said: “It took the stinger out of the match a bit.”
Doubles farewell
After his real farewell next week, Evans will continue coaching British world No.263 Searle. The two-time title winner explained: “I don't want a send-off. I just want to finish and play doubles and get out of there. It's not for me.
“I'm gonna have a month or two of holiday and just take stock of it. It's been, you know, just different year. I've been obviously away with [Searle] quite a bit and then trying to look after myself, hasn't been that easy. And then the grass has been a bit, I say stressful, that's the wrong word, but it's been a bit… With all this stuff which has been going on, it's not good energy that stuff. So yeah, and I would like a drink to be honest with you. I've hardly had a drink for ages. I'd like a night out, and a good one!”
