"The world wakes up and works 9-5 even 8-6, pathetic": Dan Evans slams Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s scheduling complaints
ATP
British tennis star Dan Evans has never been one to hold his tongue, and this week with the Canadian Open underway, he certainly did not hold back.
The 34-year-old let rip at fellow pro Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who had voiced frustration with his early start time at the ATP Masters 1000 Canadian Open.
The Spaniard, who was scheduled to play at 11:00 a.m. following a late match the previous evening, voiced his frustration in a pointed statement posted to social media.
He said the following:
"Good afternoon,
Today I want to share my disappointment and frustration with the ATP. Tomorrow, every match starts at 12:30, except ours, which has been scheduled at 11:00. We’re staying one hour away from the club, which means we have to wake up extremely early to arrive in good condition.
We’ve asked for a change, but the answer was that everything has already been sold, tickets, TV rights, etc. Once again, it’s clear that players are not taken into consideration.
Today it happened to others, tomorrow it’s me, and from the day after, all matches return to 12:30. There are plenty of available courts, yet we’re the only ones playing at 11:00.
The ATP always promises they’ll fix things, but nothing ever changes. This isn’t the first time it happens, and when you’re inside, you realize it’s not as great as it looks from the outside.
All the best,
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina"
Evans did not hold for a press conference. Instead, he posted a blunt response to Fokina’s comments directly on his Instagram Story:
"Wake up and play. The world wakes up and works 9‑5, even 8‑6. Pathetic."
The post quickly circulated on X, becoming a lightning rod for fans and commentators alike. Evans’ followers praised his no-nonsense attitude and saw Fokina’s post as entitlement.
On the other side, fans sympathetic to Fokina argued that elite athletes deserve compassion around recovery and scheduling, especially after late-night matches and extended travel.
Evans’ remarks highlight a growing divide in the ATP locker room between players who are used to being scheduled in marquee evening slots and those willing to adapt to more unpredictable match times.
For many, especially those outside the top 20, early matches are the norm. But even top players occasionally find themselves facing 11 a.m. starts, a reality of the packed tournament calendar. The two have never had a particularly close rapport on tour, but this latest exchange has seemingly widened the gap.
The debate comes as the ATP continues to juggle demands from broadcasters, sponsors, and players, all while trying to keep the sport’s schedule balanced and fair.
Tournament organisers are often under pressure to front-load high-profile matches in prime viewing slots, meaning players further down the pecking order are sometimes asked to start earlier.
Fokina has yet to respond to Evans’ comment publicly, but fans online have speculated that the dust-up could add spice to any future meeting between the two.
Both played at the DC Open last week, but as Fokina made it to the final, he will have played six matches in the last nine days.
In Washington, the new top 20 star powered through Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton to reach another final of the season on the ATP Tour. At 5-3 in the decider against Alex De Minaur, Fokina served for the match, only to be broken and see his opportunity slip away in a dramatic tiebreaker loss.
Subsequently, de Minaur comforted him courtside, calling him "a hell of a competitor" and telling Fokina his best chapter is still ahead. Nevertheless, whether you side with Fokina’s complaint or Evans’ dismissal, one thing is clear: tennis is not just about who wins or loses, it is about how players manage what happens between the lines.
Sean Killen is a contributing journalist for both DartsNews.com and Tennisuptodate.com, where he balances his university studies with writing news updates, player features, and match reports across both sports.
Before joining the sites, Sean built experience across student and professional media. He serves as TV News Director for Cardiff University TV (CUTV), has reported for Gair Rhydd and The Cardiff Times, and produced viral news coverage that gained international attention. His reporting spans sports, breaking news, and human-interest features, and he’s worked across platforms including print, online, radio, and video.
Sean has followed the ATP and WTA tennis tours closely for years, with a growing interest in darts through the Premier League and World Championship circuits. He brings a sharp eye for storytelling, a commitment to accuracy, and a passion for making niche sports accessible to wider audiences.
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