Evans criticises 'lack of class' after Queen's wildcard decision

Dan Evans defeated seventh seed Frances Tiafoe at Queen's last year

Published 7 hours ago

Former British number one Dan Evans stated it would have been "a classy gesture" for Queen's organizers to award him a wildcard in what will be his second-to-last tournament before retiring.

The 36-year-old revealed last week that he will conclude his professional tennis career following Wimbledon.

However, that announcement was insufficient for the British Davis Cup veteran to receive an entry into the main draw from Queen's officials.

Evans had participated in just two tournaments in 2026 before Queen's due to a series of injuries, which caused his ranking to fall to 244th in the world.

After being denied a spot in the main draw, he opted to play in qualifying instead, where he fell to American sixth seed Marcos Giron in the opening round.

Jack Pinnington Jones, Arthur Fery, and Toby Samuel—all ranked ahead of Evans and within the top 150 globally—were awarded the three wildcard slots.

"You hope that enough years of service for your country might earn you one in your final tournament at Queen's, but that wasn't the direction they chose," said Evans, who achieved a career-high ranking of 21st in 2023.

"They decided to go with some younger players, and that's their choice.

"It would have been a classy gesture to give me a wildcard, but obviously that was missing on this occasion.

"I entered the qualifying tournament here on my own, and I got in at the last moment. I was a bit confused that the LTA didn't offer me one into the main draw."

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Evans was a member of the squad that secured Britain's first Davis Cup title in 79 years back in 2015 and additionally claimed two ATP Tour-level trophies.

"I think some people have overlooked the fact that I'm a professional tennis player, and I wouldn't be playing if I wasn't prepared, ready to play, or fit to compete," Evans said.

"I don't feel like I've been taken seriously."

Tatjana Maria, who captured the women's Queen's title in 2025, similarly did not receive a wildcard for the main draw and had to go through qualifying.

The wildcards for this year's Wimbledon will be announced on Tuesday, and Evans is waiting to see whether he will be granted one.

The All England Club has the ability to offer up to eight wildcards for the men's singles main draw.

Evans, who has advanced to the Wimbledon third round on three occasions, is already guaranteed a spot in qualifying based on his ranking.

However, the Wimbledon committee—which awards wildcards based on past achievements or to boost British interest—could move him up into the main draw.

"Whether they give me one or not, it's not up to me," Evans added.

"I believe I've spent plenty of time helping British tennis, both off the court and on it, so I hope to get one."