Dan Evans finds new role in tennis after retirement with Wimbledon junior champion

Friday, 23 October 2026 at 19:00

Dan Evans has found a new role in tennis after bringing his professional playing career to an end, with the former British No. 1 now coaching one of the country's most promising young players, Henry Searle.

The 20-year-old won the Wimbledon boys' singles title in 2023 and is now working to establish himself on the professional circuit. Under Evans' guidance, Searle has already claimed two Challenger titles in 2026, giving the former British No. 1 an early indication that their partnership can be productive.

Evans' coaching role began in January, while he was still playing, after Searle changed coaches and needed help. What started as an informal arrangement gradually developed into a more regular partnership, which has continued following Evans' retirement.

The former world No. 21 ended his career at Wimbledon in July after missing out on a wild card into the main draw and losing in the second round of qualifying. His final season had largely consisted of qualifying campaigns, including at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Queen's and Wimbledon, as he attempted to extend his playing career.

Evans explains how his coaching role with Searle began

Speaking to Ubitennis founder and director Ubaldo Scanagatta at the Florence Open, Evans explained how he unexpectedly found himself coaching the young Briton.

"He changed coach and I started by accident, just helping. Then he started doing pretty well and playing some tournaments; he listened a lot. So I said, okay, we go for some weeks," Evans said.

The 36-year-old believes Searle has the potential to develop into a good professional, but stressed that his progress ultimately depends on his own willingness to learn and improve.

"I'm not hoping. It's up to him. I want him to do well because he's from a similar area to where I'm from in Birmingham. But it's down to him if he wants to make the next step. I'm there to help. I can't do it for him, so that's a big thing," he explained.

Evans also highlighted the adjustments Searle must make when moving from junior tennis to the professional game, despite his success at Wimbledon three years ago. "He's a good player. He's very raw. As you said, he has to change his game style a little bit from juniors. But he's working hard. He tries very hard," Evans said.

Searle's development was tested at the Florence Open, where he won his opening match before losing in the second round to Czech qualifier Matthew William Donald. Evans viewed the defeat as an important learning opportunity, pointing to the difficulties young players face when competing against experienced opponents.

"This guy is a good fighter, plays smart tennis, and he didn't have the tools to win the match. So that's a big lesson for him."

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Evans sees potential in Britain's rising star

Evans is following Searle at tournaments whenever his schedule allows, although he admitted that travelling week after week is not always practical. With much of the youngster's current schedule taking place in Europe, the arrangement remains manageable for now.

"As much as I can, but then some weeks I take off if I have too much travel," Evans explained. He added that he could eventually spend more time coaching Searle and bring in additional help as the player progresses.

The former British No. 1 also made clear that his interest in the partnership extends beyond tennis, describing Searle as a good person and someone he enjoys helping.

Asked whether Searle was the most interesting prospect in British tennis at his age, Evans gave him a positive assessment but warned against placing too much emphasis on junior achievements.

"Right now, yeah. Probably for his age, yeah, but this is the thing. We don't care about age," Evans said. "Juniors is juniors. Junior Wimbledon didn't win him that match there."

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For Evans, the coaching role offers a new way to remain involved in the sport after winning two ATP titles, reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 21 and helping Great Britain win the Davis Cup in 2015.

For Searle, having a former top-25 player in his corner provides access to experience that could prove valuable as he attempts to turn his junior success into a sustained professional career.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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