“I don’t think I did anything too wrong,” Dan Evans says he has no regrets over his public criticism of Davis Cup captain Leon Smith over team selection
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Dan Evans and Leon Smith
The 32-year-old British professional tennis player Dan Evans said that he does not regret going public with David Cup selection criticism, after being left out from the Davis Cup doubles team. Evans also shared his insights on Britain’s failure to make the finals of the Davis Cup and that he has still not cleared the air with Captain Leon Smith.
The world No. 27 in singles, Evans made it to 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. Earlier, in a scathing criticism of the captain, Evans had threatened to quit the British Davis Cup team over “f***ing annoying” doubles snub.
“We are good at discussing things when we win but nobody wants to talk about it when we lose,” Evans said. “The normal LTA response is we will take it on board and review it. I just didn’t think it played out as it should, to the best of our possibilities, and some of that is on the captain. I think it’s only fair the captain gets some criticism,” Evans explained why he criticized captain Leon Smith in the first place.
Going on further, Evans believes that he did not do anything wrong and that he is yet to clear the air with the captain due to a lack of conversation. Evans also talked about the possibility of playing doubles in Australia. “I’m not demanding that I play doubles. I’m hoping to play but if Australia doesn’t go well then I might have to go and play on the circuit at the expense of the Davis Cup,” he said.
Dan Evans feels Novak Djokovic remains the man to beat in the coming season
32-year-old Dan Evans got a chance to meet with Novak Djokovic in the gym while training in Spain this month. Pointing out the Serb’s fitness and training schedule, Evans felt that the 21 times Grand Slam winner remains the man to beat in the upcoming season starting at Melbourne.
“Novak was around and I saw him in the gym a bit and had a couple of chats with him. When you look at him in the gym, he looks like a gymnast – the way he stretches it’s like watching a 14-year-old. So if his body doesn’t break down he has to be in a great position,” Evans said.
‘I reckon Novak still believes he is the best by miles and his game looks as sure as ever,” Evans further added while naming the Spanish star Rafael Nadal as his second favorite for the Australian Open 2023.
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