“It’s a sad state of affairs,” Dan Evans slams ATP for threatening to expel LTA and sell licenses for prestigious pre-Wimbledon events

British professional Dan Evans believes threatening to expel LTA will not serve any purpose as it holds some of the most prestigious events.

“It’s a sad state of affairs,” Dan Evans slams ATP for threatening to expel LTA and sell licenses for prestigious pre-Wimbledon events

Dan Evans

British professional tennis player Dan Evans has criticized ATP for putting pressure on the Lawn Tennis Association and threatening to sell licenses for pre-Wimbledon tournaments. According to him, expelling the body to hold important events like Queen’s will not serve any purpose. 

Earlier it was revealed that the British tennis body was facing severe pressure from both the ATP and WTA Tours. In the event of indecision about the Russian and Belarusian players, the LTA could lose its licenses to stage the tournaments currently held at Queen’s and Nottingham. This will be a huge blow for British tennis.

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“It’s a sad state of affairs if Queen’s wasn’t on,” the world No 28 told the Times. “I’m not a fan of the threats. The ATP should not throw stones when they live in glass houses,” he added. 

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If ATP eventually moves on with its plans, the nation wil lose one of the most prestigious events like Queen’s. The event has received multiple ATP awards and is widely acclaimed as one of the best 500-point events over the years. “Queen’s is one of the best and most prestigious tournaments on the tour, which has done a lot for the ATP Tour in its time,” Evans acknowledged the same.

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The decision about the Russian and Belarusian players is still pending but the threats will not work, Dans Evans believes 

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Russian players are currently banned from Wimbledon

The players from the said countries were infamously banned from Wimbledon and other events in the UK last year. The decision was met with heavy criticism from almost every corner. As the war in Ukraine entered its second year, the repeat of last year’s saga still looms large on the players. Evans also believes conversation is the key to moving forward, not the conflict.

“I’m a massive advocate for the ATP generally,” Evans said. “They do great things but we have to have sensible conversations. I don’t think threatening the LTA with taking away the license for these events is how it’s going to be resolved.

“It affects all of the Brits. They’re not going to get chances or playing opportunities with a wild card. I think common sense should prevail. The LTA’s hands are tied a little bit as well. This subject goes a bit bigger than tennis federations and governing bodies.”

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