Dan Evans’ exclusion from the Wimbledon wildcard pool has been the subject of much discussion.
The former world number 21 did not receive a wildcard for the Wimbledon Men’s Singles main draw event, despite recently announcing his intention to retire from his professional tennis career at the event.
Evans played his final Wimbledon singles match last week when he lost to Tristan Schoolkate in the second round of qualifying.
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Many tennis fans expressed their displeasure at the decision not to award Evans a wildcard for the main draw, with one fan describing the decision as ‘absolutely shameful’.
Tim Henman, the former world number four, has now explained why Evans did not receive a wildcard.
Tim Henman says there were six British players ahead of Dan Evans in the wildcard pecking order
“We would have loved to have given Dan Evans a wildcard but there were only eight in the main draw,” Henman said while on punditry duties for the BBC.
“The way it works is that the LTA come and present to a wildcard committee. They then leave the room and we have to decide.
“There were certainly six British players ahead of Dan for main draw wildcards and then we also wanted to give Grigor Dimitrov, who made the quarter finals here last year, and was up two sets to love against Jannik Sinner and then tore his pec muscle.
“And then Stan Wawrinka is a three time Grand Slam champion.
“Perhaps if there had been 12 or 13 main draw wildcards he would have got one but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.
Wimbledon Men’s Singles wildcards
- Grigor Dimitrov
- Jacob Fearnley
- Arthur Fery
- Jack Pinnington Jones
- Toby Samuel
- Stan Wawrinka
- Harry Wendelken
“He had a good performance in the first round of qualifying but then lost the second round.
“I am glad to say he was given a doubles wildcard with Henry Searle so he will get the opportunity of playing at the Championships in his last ever tournament.”
As mentioned by Henman, Evans is set to compete in the Men’s Doubles events after receiving a wildcard.
The 36-year-old will compete alongside Henry Searle, whom Evans is coaching.
Dan Evans’ Wimbledon doubles draw
Evans and Searle are set to begin their Wimbledon doubles campaign later this week.
The duo have been handed a difficult draw in south-west London – they are set to face ninth seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys in the first round.
If Evans and Searle cause an upset, they will play Daniel Merida and Camilo Ugo Carabelli or Yuki Bhambri and Michael Venus in the next round.
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If the pair were to advance even further, they would most likely face top seeds Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten in the third round.
British duo Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash are the defending champions.
The Britons are seeded third at this year’s event. They will play Daniel Adolfo Vallejo and Mariano Navone in the first round.
