Dan Evans was simply grateful to be back on court despite a frustrating Wimbledon defeat following a difficult year ravaged by injury.
Damp conditions forced the Birmingham star and Alejandro Tabilo off Court 12 on Tuesday evening with the 34-year-old a set down and at 3-3 in the second.
A tumultuous 10 days in the run-in to Wimbledon did not help his cause in the first round of the Grand Slam, which followed an early departure from Queen’s after picking up an injury to his knee.
Evans lost 6-2 7-5 6-3 on Wednesday and is now putting his full focus into doubles alongside youngster and fellow Midlands talent Henry Searle.
“Tough match,” he said. “Obviously, circumstances were not ideal with what happened at Queen’s.
“I did a good job to get on the court, I thought I played a pretty solid match, considering.
“I’ll have to take some time after the tournament to work on my knee, getting it stronger.
“I felt really good at the start of the grass, then that happened so the bottom line, it’s frustrating.
“To be out there today, I was really a spectator taking part, if I’m totally honest.
“I’m obviously trying my best to get a win there, there’s levels and there’s levels.
“If you’ve not done the appropriate work for 10 days or seven days, whatever it was I didn’t play for, these guys are too good.”
Defeat for Dan Evans at Wimbledon #BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/rIHN6lODHl
— LTA (@the_LTA) July 3, 2024
Evans is still set to play alongside Andy Murray in his final shot at the Olympics when Paris 2024 rolls around in less than three weeks.
Experience will meet youth when Evans teams up with last year’s boys’ singles winner Searle, who lost out in four sets to Marcos Girron.
“He (Searle) might have to bring me up to a level,” he said with a wry smile.
“My plan is to play, I’m not doing any damage, it just needs good solid, some weeks’ work. If that’s not playing a tournament before the Olympics, so be it.
“I only really did it because I thought, I didn’t play much doubles, we’re both from relatively same part of the country, area. Why not?
“He’s got a pretty good game for doubles. Hopefully it will be a bit of good fun and get a win or two.”
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