Evans denies Wimbledon wildcard omission motivates him more

Dan Evans, the 36-year-old British tennis player who plans to end his career after the Wimbledon Championships, overcame Bolivia's Juan Carlos Prado Angelo 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 in the first qualifying round. Although Evans received a wildcard for the men's doubles with Henry Searle, whom he has been coaching since January, he missed out on one of the eight singles wildcards. This means he must win three matches at Roehampton this week to play one last singles event at SW19.

Earlier in June, Evans expressed frustration at not receiving a wildcard for the Queen's tournament, calling it a "classy gesture". However, after his qualifying win, he said he was "no more motivated to win matches here because I didn't get the wildcard". "I play tennis for myself, not to prove other people wrong, and I've done that throughout my career," he added. "It's nothing to do with the All England Club giving or not giving me a wildcard. They gave me one in doubles and I am appreciative of that. It's neither here nor there if they gave me a wildcard. I love the tournament, but I am no more motivated to win matches here because I didn't get the wildcard. A lot of people have run with that story - it's untrue. I'm really happy that I ended up playing qualifying, to get a chance to come and play in this atmosphere."

World number 297 Evans has reached the Wimbledon third round on three occasions. He has won two ATP Tour-level titles, reached a career-high of 21 in the world rankings, and was part of the British team that won the 2015 Davis Cup. In 2024, Evans sacrificed the 500 ranking points he had won at the Washington Open the previous year to partner Sir Andy Murray for his final tournament at the Paris Olympics.

Evans played in front of a packed crowd at Roehampton on Monday and admitted to feeling nervous. "I was very nervous at the start and especially at the end. I made the decision [to retire] and I'm happy with that, but I'm not going to lie, in the matches on the grass it's been difficult to keep my mind on the job. I'm really happy and proud of how I've come through that," he added.

Next up for Evans is 28th seed Tristan Schoolkate, who beat Britain's Johannus Monday 7-5, 6-3. Billy Harris and Oliver Tarvet, who reached the second round at Wimbledon last year, were also among the winners on the first day of qualifying. Harris defeated Italy's Stefano Napolitano 6-2, 6-2, while Tarvet won 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 against Australia's Alex Bolt. Wimbledon begins on Monday, 29 June.