Dan Evans’ tennis career is over, having lost his final-ever professional match earlier today whilst partnering Henry Searle in the Wimbledon doubles.
There was much furore before the event began after the 36-year-old was denied a wildcard for the singles draw.
Opting to instead award one to Stan Wawrinka, Grigor Dimitrov and six other Brits, many suggested that this was wholy unfair after all Evans had done for the sport.
Alas, the time for complaining is over, although Evans did express his frustration with Wimbledon.
Now is the time for celebration, with Andy Murray keen to lead the eulogies.
Andy Murray’s touching tribute for Dan Evans following his retirement
Speaking to the LTA, in a video released as a tribute to Evans’ career, Murray was full of praise for his compatriot.
“Unbelievably talented guy,” he began. “Very competitive, loves to compete. He’s got a good heart Evo and he absolutely loves British tennis.
How badly treated do you feel Dan Evans has been by Wimbledon?
“He’s been a huge part of the Davis Cup teams over the years. He’s done extremely well.
“He’s a bit of a throwback in the way he plays the game. He has a very different game style to what you see on tour these days, and it’s always fun to watch him.”
Then, remembering the first time he met Evans and how their relationship has grown since then, Murray continued: “He would have been on some of the Davis Cup teams when he was around 19, 20-years-old – that’s when started playing together. We competed together for Britain all the way through to the Olympics.
“Paris was an amazing event – certainly for me – but we had some incredible matches there, both of us were really passionate. It was a great ending for me, I loved it.
“To have Evo by my side playing the way he did and going about the way he did is an amazing memory. In my dressing room at home I’ve got that photo of the two of us celebrating in unison after the point.
“Evo is a great teammate. He’s unbelievably passionate, super lively. He was not scared to tell you what he thought or give his opinion.
“I think that’s why he played in the team for such a long time. He put everything in to those years playing Davis Cup – whether he was playing or supporting the team. He was a great member of the team and there was never a dull or quiet moment when he was around.”
When Dan Evans partnered Andy Murray in his last-ever tennis match
It’s only fitting that Murray should lead the tributes for Evans, given how intertwined he was in the Scotsman’s retirement just two years ago.
As a two-time Olympic gold medallist, it felt right for him to call time on his career at the 2024 Olympics.
Although deemed unable to compete in the singles, he opted to play alongside Evans in the men’s doubles, and their run was legendary.
Where does Dan Evans rank among the greatest British tennis players in history?
Together, they captured the imagination as a pair of hugely passionate and competitive individuals who were given little chance of success.
They first faced the Japanese team of Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori, and saved five match points to prolong the three-time Grand Slam champion’s career just that little bit longer.
Murray claimed this was one of the best moments of his career afterwards.
Then, facing the Belgians Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen, they saved another two match points to continue their run.
Only at the quarter-final stage, against the would-be bronze medalists Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz, did they come unstuck, and Murray’s legendary career came to an end.
It’s clear in his comments just how much this run still means to him, even today.
