Evans critical of ATP and WTA for threatening to strip pre-Wimbledon events again: "Should not throw stones when they live in glass houses"

Dan Evans has spoken out against the ATP and WTA's alleged plans of stripping the lTA of iconic events such as the Queen's Club event if they ban Russian and Belarussian players like last year.

The Tour heavily punished the LTA for the ban last year. It was a result of the British government strongly advising the LTA to follow through with it despite a lot of pressure from the tennis community to resist. It's unlikely that the LTA would do so again, especially with reports suggesting that the Tours might impose even harsher punishments.

According to reports they could lose events like Eastbourne and Queen's Club should another ban happen and Evans spoke against it:

"It's a sad state of affairs if Queen's wasn't on. I'm not a fan of the threats. The ATP should not throw stones when they live in glass houses. Queen's is one of the best and most prestigious tournaments on the tour, which has done a lot for the ATP Tour in its time."

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Evans doesn't disapprove of the ATP in general but he wants sensible conversations:

"I'm a massive advocate for the ATP generally. They do great things but we have to have sensible conversations. I don't think threatening the LTA with taking away the licence for these events is how it's going to be resolved."

He further suggested that the LTA's hands are somewhat tied because of the British government's stance on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine:

"It affects all of the Brits. They're not going to get chances or playing opportunities with a wild card. I think common sense should prevail. The LTA's hands are tied a little bit as well. This subject goes a bit bigger than tennis federations and governing bodies."

Even if the ban is not upheld the British government could decide to strip the players of their visa.

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