Great Britain’s Davis Cup renewal: Evans contemplates retirement post-Canada defeat
ATPMonday, 16 September 2024 at 05:30
Dan Evans
and Jack Draper suffered defeats that knocked Great Britain out of the Davis
Cup against Canada. The European team faces a turning point in their Davis Cup
squad following the retirement of Andy Murray, the team’s main figure for
almost 20 years.
Dan Evans ponders Davis Cup retirement
Evans
hinted at a possible retirement from the Davis Cup at 34 years old and ranked
outside the top 150, while Draper, 22, is only playing his second series in the
tournament and is expected to lead the British team's transition.
Evans’
potential retirement from Team Great Britain could be a significant loss,
having played 41 Davis Cup matches between 2009 and 2024. Captain Leon Smith
commented that he would speak with Evans about his future in the team "in
a couple of days." Smith added, "I've done this for 14 years, and
he's been in the majority of the squads, played huge important ties, and
achieved some amazing moments."
The British
team had a strong start against Finland, with Evans defeating Eero Vasa,
followed by Billy Harris' (23 years old) victorious debut against Otto
Virtanen. The Finns won the doubles, with Heliövaara and Virtanen defeating
Evans and Neal Skupski.
Dan Evans and Andy Murray at Olympic Games.
However, in
the second series, the British team suffered two singles losses against
Argentina. First, Evans fell to Tomás Martín Etcheverry (No. 26), and then Jack
Draper (No. 20) was beaten by Francisco Cerúndolo (No. 31). Evans and Skupski
won the doubles, reducing the series deficit to 1-2 against the South
Americans.
In the
final series, the Brits needed a 3-0 victory but lost both singles matches.
Former World No. 10 Denis Shapovalov (No. 100) defeated Evans, followed by
Félix Auger-Aliassime beating Draper, both in straight sets. The doubles win
only added respectability to the final score, allowing Canada to advance as
group leaders and Argentina to secure second place and qualify for the Finals.
Despite
playing three singles matches (1-2) and two doubles matches (1-1), Evans is
considering ending his Davis Cup career. "I've thought about it long and
hard. I'll have to think a little more," Evans told BBC Sport. "I
love competing for my country. I've loved every minute of it, but sometimes
you've got to know when to leave."
Read also
Evans was
in the top 50 until April this year, but a string of defeats caused his ranking
to slide. The 32-year-old decided to participate in the Olympic Games,
partnering with Andy Murray in his final tournament, which prevented him from
defending his ATP 500 DC Open title. The loss of points has dropped him to
World No. 178: "It will be a difficult decision, but sometimes it's nice
to give somebody else the opportunity and watch from afar," Evans added.
"His
ranking has gone down, so he's got a lot to consider—what's best for him right
now and what he needs to have a successful year next year," Leon Smith
told BBC Sport. "Whatever happens, he's been an amazing servant for
us."
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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