2026-06-16 10:29:36

Dan Evans has criticised the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) for not giving him a Queen’s wildcard.

The British player – who recently announced that he will retire from the sport after Wimbledon – was refused a main draw entry into the tournament in London and he felt that the UK tennis governing body demonstrated a lack of “class” with the move.

Evans said: “I think wildcards are a good thing for Brits. I would say you hope to do enough years of service for your country to maybe get one in your last tournament at Queen’s, but that wasn’t the way they went.

“They went with some younger guys, and that’s their prerogative.

“It’s an interesting topic at the minute, isn’t it? The wildcards. It would have been a classy gesture to give me a wildcard, but obviously that was lacking on this occasion, and I was in qualifying.

“I entered the qualifying here myself, and I got in last minute. I was offered a wildcard into qualifying here. I was a bit perplexed that the LTA didn’t offer me one into main draw, myself, I obviously made [round of 16] last year. It would have helped me a lot to get a few more days of preparation to start main draw, but again, that’s up to them, the powers that be.”

Evans is now waiting to find out whether he will receive a Wimbledon wildcard.

The former British number one – who has reached the third round at the All England Club three times previously – said: “I haven’t played a bunch of tennis, but again, that’s for reasons out of my control. I’ve been injured, and that’s the reason I’m obviously retiring, because my body hasn’t been great, and I no longer want to put myself through the training.

“I’ve applied via the All England Club. If they give me one or not, it’s not up to me. I’m obviously a temporary member there, so I hope that helps. I use the club during the year. Again, I feel I’ve done plenty of time helping British tennis, off the court, and on the court, so I hope to get one. But I’m well capable, I’m in off my own ranking into qualifying, and I’m capable of qualifying.”

Visit Bang Premier (main website)