Davis Cup: Dan Evans, who became irate after not being selected to play doubles for Great Britain in the Davis Cup, may leave the team.
The 32-year-old made his Davis Cup debut in 2009 when they were demoted to tennis’ third division. He has since played 30 singles matches over the course of 13 years and was a member of the 2015 team that won the competition.
Because he believes he can play doubles as well as singles but hasn’t been asked to, the British number two has said he may leave the team.
“It’s depressing. To be completely honest, I find it a little disrespectful that I have never been selected to compete in the Davis Cup [in doubles] “I told Evans.
“I don’t need to play doubles on the tour to show how good I am at doubles, and I mean that in the nicest possible manner for the doubles guys. When I do, I typically succeed.
Evans and fellow Brit Neal Skupski reached two Masters 1000 finals together last year, but after their doubles team lost to Germany in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Davis Cup finals in Innsbruck, captain Leon Smith ordered Evans to play singles instead.
Evans went on, “In Austria, I had the conversation in which I offered to play.
“I spent a year trying out with Neal to play Davis Cup, but I wasn’t selected. Why I’ve never played is a mystery to me.
“As I said, it irritates me and comes across as a little cocky. If I want to put myself in that position again to keep going there and we’re not getting the desired results, it’s something I need to consider moving forward.
“Smith is entirely free to take a different path, so perhaps I should sit down and talk with him. He is the captain.”
Evans claimed that he wants to play doubles because it will benefit the squad and that all he cares about is how Great Britain performs.
“It’s discouraging, especially for the team. I don’t wish to compete with myself. I want to participate because I believe it will benefit the team the most.
“I simply want the nation to do well with the Davis Cup overall. My passion is for our nation to succeed.
The British player is present in the quarterfinals of the European Tour event in Antwerp after a convincing victory against Constant Lestienne on Wednesday.
Evans, the fifth seed, defeated the Frenchman 6-2, 6-1, in just 75 minutes as he pursues his first tour-level victory of the year.
The 32-year-old won 82% of his first-serve points and broke five times to secure the victory. He defeated Dutchman Tallon Greikspoor in the opening round.
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