“When tennis resumes, it’s going to be pretty brutal”, says Battle-of-Brits Champion Dan Evans

A feisty Dan Evans, on Sunday toppled an enthusiastic Kyle Edmund, 6-3, 6-2 in the final of Schroders Battle of the Brits which marks the return of Scottish Andy Murray to the pro-tennis tour.

When quizzed about the return of the event next year, Evans did express his interest in participation. He suggested that it could be organized after the US OPEN to prepare the British players for an indoor season.

To quote Evans:

“It’s up to the British tennis players to give a bit back. Next year, players might remember what happened this year. Jamie put on an event for us when we were all sitting around.”

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Confessing that this is the time of his career when he’s in his best physical form, he said, “I’m going to take a week off now, and then start to look forward to the restart [of the ATP Tour on Aug 14]. When tennis resumes, it’s going to be pretty brutal.”

The week, however, was nothing like a typical ATP game-week. There were no ranking points awarded nor was a huge prize-money check awaiting the winner. Yet, it witnessed high-quality tennis being played among some best players of the world.

Andy Murray played exceptionally well through the week but lost 1-6 6-3 10-8 to the eventual champ Dan Evans in the semifinal, given his sabbatical from tennis due to his nagging hip problems. However, he was pretty much satisfied with his physical capacity to play such good-quality tennis.

In Murray’s own words:

“For me the results weren’t the important thing this week. I wanted to get matches and hopefully play some good tennis. At times, I played really, really well and at times my level dropped quite a lot. If I can get back to the level, I was playing at in the first set yesterday and maintain that for longer periods, I will be just fine.”

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“Playing matches on the Tour is very different to this, with coaches on court. Also, we played behind closed doors and it’s maybe good to get used to that. There are things in a slam or a Tour event I’d certainly do differently out there. But from a physical perspective, I did really well,” he added.

An equally beautiful semifinal match was played between Cameron Norrie and Kyle Edmund for a spot in the finals, which was eventually captured by Edmund.

“I felt he was a bit happier with his game than I was,” Edmund said.
“Had to dig deep, get my energy up. The close games are key when you look back. My backhand winners at 8-all [in the tie-break] was not too precise but it came off – also for match point. Had to work for it.”

Another highlight of the event was an “Overwhelmed” Andy Murray advising (swearing on TV, rather) James Ward, who was facing Cameron Norrie for a third place.

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Ward stepped in to replace Murray, who had some shin problems due to exertion.

From the corner of the court, Murray started off, “You need more energy, because it’s so quiet in here. And you’ve got f—— two weeks in Virginia to sit on you’re a— before you play again [representing Orlando Storm in World Team Tennis].”

Eventually, Norrie won the contest, 6-3, 7-5.

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When the champ Dan Evans was quizzed whether Murray could eventually coach players after his playing career was over, he was quick to remark, “Not if he keeps swearing on live television.”

Murray and Evans are, like many other players on the ATP and WTA circuit, are looking forward to August, when the remaining but highly skeptical 2020 season of tennis is likely to get underway with the start of the Citi Open at Washington and then the 2nd Grand Slam of the year, the US OPEN.

In Djokovic’s spirit, Idemooooo (Let’s go)!!!!

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