DAN EVANS CRITICISES LTA OVER WIMBLEDON WILDCARD REFUSAL

Dan Evans has accused the Lawn Tennis Association of failing to explain why he was denied a Wimbledon singles wildcard before retiring from professional tennis. Evans, ranked as high as 21 in the world during his career, ended his 20-year playing career on Wednesday with a doubles defeat on Court 15 at the All England Club. He and his partner Henry Searle lost 6-2, 6-4 to Hugo Nys and Édouard Roger-Vasselin. Evans stated he had hoped to conclude his career with a singles appearance at Wimbledon.

The All England Club makes wildcard decisions but consults the LTA, British tennis's governing body. The LTA granted Evans a doubles wildcard but not a singles one. Evans expressed frustration that no official from the governing body had provided him with a substantive explanation for the decision. He also stated he was denied a wildcard for a minor event the previous month, which he said would have allowed him to demonstrate his form and potentially earn a Wimbledon singles wildcard. Evans noted that the reason given—that all wildcards for that event had been allocated—contradicted his understanding of how wildcards are typically distributed.

Evans said he would have valued personal communication from the LTA alongside the tribute posted on its website. He noted that he had not spoken to any LTA representatives during the week of Wimbledon. The LTA has published a tribute to Evans following his retirement announcement.