Evans rants about 'elitist' British tennis, believes it should be more accessible to middle class: "I’m not interested in how a doctor’s son does"
ATP
Dan Evans called for more diversity and greater accessibility in British tennis.
The
33-year-old tennis player has had a long journey to establish himself among the
world's best. Although he reached the top 50 in mid-2017, injuries kept him
away from the sport and he even found himself without a ranking. In 2019, he
surpassed his previous best ranking and has since maintained consistency to be
around the top 30.
Evans, who
is the son of an electrician father and a nurse mother, has had a successful
career. He won the 2015 Davis Cup with his country, teaming up with Andy
Murray, Jamie Murray, James Ward, and Kyle Edmund. The former world No. 22
spoke about the opportunities in tennis, which has traditionally been seen as
an elite sport.
"I
speak out because I care about the sport.
People
always think it’s against the governing body (the LTA) but it’s not that. I’m
not interested in how a doctor’s son does in the sport, I’m really not. I
couldn’t care less. I’m interested in somebody who’s struggled a bit,” Evans
said.
“Paul
Jubb’s story is an amazing story but it’d be amazing for some for him to get
inside the top 100. I’m not saying people who have it harder feel a better
level of relief or satisfaction when they get inside 100 or they do something
good, but it just strikes a chord with me how good that is,”
“And I know
what it feels like. I never, ever wanted as a child. But it feels good to be
comfortable. It’s an amazing feeling. And it’s an amazing thing to get success
in such a big sport in the world where you probably shouldn’t be doing that if
you grew up at a little tennis club,” he added.
Read also
“It’s a
pretty cool thing. And that’s why I look out for the other people from that
sort of background. It’s only right. People get selfish when they get good. And
they don’t care at all about anybody else,” Evans concluded.
The British
player is the 27th seed for Wimbledon and will play his first-round match against
Frenchman Quentin Halys on Monday.
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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