Dan Evans threatens to quit British Davis Cup team over “f***ing annoying” doubles snub
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British Davis Cup team member since 2009, Dan Evans recently said in an interview that he is frustrated at not being picked for doubles in the competition so far and could quit if the same trend continues. World No.26 in singles, Evans reached the final of the Canadian Open in doubles this year and reached the Miami and Monte Carlo Masters finals with compatriot Neal Skupski in 2021.
“It’s f***ing annoying. It’s disappointing. To be frank, it’s a bit insulting also that I haven’t been picked ever to play the Davis Cup [in doubles],” Evans told iNews.
“This is meant in the nicest possible way to the doubles guys, there’s nothing against them – but I don’t need to play doubles on the tour to prove how good I am at doubles. When I do, I normally do okay. I think we need to look past doubles rankings for a Davis Cup tie and if a game style fits or a game style doesn’t then maybe we should be picking other people,” the 32-year-old Brit added.
Dan Evans says he just doesn’t understand the decision-making by his Davis Cup captains
Evans added that he played with Skupski in doubles to basically prepare himself and get picked for the doubles matches in Davis Cup. Therefore, it was even more frustrating for him to be left out once again.
“I had the conversation [asking to play] in Austria. I played with Neal before for a year to try and play Davis Cup, and didn’t get picked. I’m at a loss as to why I’ve never played.”
“It’s frustrating as I said, and a bit insulting as well. It’s something I have to think about going forward if I want to put myself in that position again to keep going there and we’re not getting the right results,” said Evans.
Evans also made it clear that he is considering giving up if things don’t work out well with the team.
“Maybe I should have a conversation and sit down, and if he [Smith] wants to go a different way then it’s entirely up to him. He’s the captain. It’s disappointing and mainly it’s for the team. I don’t want to play for myself. I want to play because I think that’s the best for the team,” he said.
As things stand, Evans is the second-highest ranked singles player in Team Britain after Cameron Norrie and leaving him out is something that the nation can’t afford right now in the competition. Andy Murray, who has carried Britain along with his doubles-playing brother Jamie Murray for over years, is now fading and has struggled since being hit by back and hip injuries years ago.
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Ashish Maggo
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