Tennis fans are not happy with Wimbledon after they announced their last two wildcards for the men’s singles tournament.
Former British number one Dan Evans confirmed he will be retiring at Wimbledon this year, with the 36-year-old bringing his career to an end.
However, as the current world number 244, Evans would have required a wildcard to play in the main draw of Wimbledon this year.
Queen’s were criticised for not giving Evans a wildcard, and now Wimbledon are getting even more backlash following their announcement.
Tennis fans criticise Wimbledon after Dan Evans is confirmed not to receive a wildcard
There was a lot of debate over whether Evans deserved a wildcard after he was not announced in the initial list.
At this point, there were still two spots remaining, but Wimbledon have now confirmed that those wildcards have been given to Harry Wendelken and Felix Gill, both of whom will be making their Grand Slam main draw debut.
Wendelken and Gill will join fellow British wildcards Jacob Fearnley, Arthur Fery, Jack Pinnington Jones and Toby Samuel, as well as three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka and former world number three Grigor Dimitrov at Wimbledon this year, while Evans will have to play in qualifying at his final tournament.
How badly treated do you feel Dan Evans has been by Wimbledon?
This decision has not gone down well with many tennis fans on X (formerly known as Twitter), who have criticised Wimbledon’s decision to snub Evans, who has been ranked as high as world number 21.
One person wrote, “I really do think it’s poor form for Wimbledon not to give Dan Evans a wildcard. He was No. 21 in the world. Britain rarely produces players that good. Sure, another Brit would miss out on a WC [wildcard] but probably many more chances for them to come.”
Another added, “Dan Evans has been treated disgracefully by the entirety of British tennis since announcing his retirement. Not getting a wildcard to anything deserves the entire system to be reformed and everyone involved should lose their jobs, frankly. Awful treatment of a British legend.”
The backlash for Wimbledon continued, “Completely baffled as to why Dan Evans hasn’t been given a Wimbledon wildcard for his final tournament. Zero respect to an absolute legend of British tennis, who’s been the ultimate team player for his country. Really hope he can manage to get through qualifying.”
“What the hell are @wimbledon doing not giving a WC to Dan Evans in his last tournament?? Absolute disgraceful decision!”
“Really poor of the LTA and Wimbledon not to give Dan Evans a wildcard in his final Wimbledon.”
Many social media users also pointed out that Evans once sacrificed defending his Washington Open title to play alongside the retiring Andy Murray at the Paris Olympics.
“Absolutely shameful, this player gave everything for his country, sacrificed the end of his career to play the Olympics with Murray but 0 recognition… The Briton had announced his retirement after the grass-court swing. Disappointed.”
“Didn’t Evans sacrifice 500 points and chose to go to the Olympics to partner up with Murray? Chose to not defend Washington and drop a lot in the rankings to help Andy get a last hurrah? Not even a fan whatsoever but this sounds like the biggest joke?”
“Absolutely disgraceful from @Wimbledon and @the_LTA that Dan Evans has not got a Wildcard into his last Wimbledon. British number 1, top 25 player, tanked his ranking to play in the Olympics and 0 fair treatment after. Didn’t even get a wildcard into Ilkley Challenger! Shame.”
Evans is not the only notable omission from the Wimbledon wildcards this year, with Nick Kyrgios, Gael Monfils and British number six Billy Harris also missing out.
Who is your early shout to win the men’s Wimbledon title?
What happened the last time Dan Evans played Wimbledon qualifying?
Evans will now have to go through the hard way if he wants to get into the Wimbledon main draw and play in qualifying for the first time since 2018.
Last year, Evans received a main draw wildcard for Wimbledon, but the five previous editions before that he got into the main draw directly through his ranking.
The last time Evans played in Wimbledon qualifying was in 2018, after he returned to tennis following a one-year ban for taking recreational drugs.
Evans would win his first round qualifying match against Ilya Ivashka, before suffering a heavy defeat in the second round to Matthias Bachinger.
The Briton will be hoping to go all the way when he plays Wimbledon qualifying this year, as Evans gears up for his final ever tournament.
