Injury Concerns for Dan Evans
Birmingham tennis star Dan Evans faced a setback at the prestigious Queen’s Club tournament, where he was forced to retire due to a right knee injury sustained during a match. The 34-year-old player withdrew from both the singles and doubles events, raising concerns about his fitness ahead of key competitions like Wimbledon and the upcoming Olympics.
During his singles match, Evans was initially performing well, leading 4-1 against his opponent, Brandon Nakashima, and winning the first set 6-4. However, in the second set, he fell to Nakashima 6-3. The match took a dramatic turn when Evans slipped awkwardly on the grass, abruptly ending his run at Queen’s and extinguishing his hopes of competing alongside partner Andy Murray for the doubles title.
Reflecting on the incident, Dan Evans expressed his frustration, stating, “It’s one of the worst things you can do on grass. Your body twists in a way you don’t want it to, and we’ve all seen those types of falls.” Despite the shock of the fall, Evans was relieved that the injury was not as severe as it could have been, recalling his previous tough recovery from an injury earlier this year.
Optimism Amidst Challenges
Evans, who reached his career-high ATP ranking of 21 in the summer of 2021, is determined to overcome this setback. He is aiming for his 150th career tour win while striving to break a frustrating seven-match losing streak. Despite this incident, he remains committed to participating in the remaining grass-court season.
The former British number one noted his concern for Andy Murray, who is working to return to form after a calf injury. “I don’t want to let him down,” Evans said. “I just slipped, so we’ll monitor my situation over the next 48 hours and see what the scans show.”
Evans acknowledged the difficulties that come with playing on grass, particularly under less-than-ideal weather conditions. “When it’s overcast, grass tennis can become tricky. That day was gloomy, and some parts of the court are less utilized, which is part of playing on grass,” he explained.
As he considers the upcoming Wimbledon and Olympic Games, Dan Evans is understandably anxious. He described hearing a crack during his fall but reassured himself that it didn’t seem too serious. “I’m worried, and that’s the bottom line. It would be devastating to miss out on the Olympics or Wimbledon,” he added.
With a focus on recovery and a hopeful outlook, Dan Evans is determined to get back on the court and make his mark in the upcoming tournaments. His resilience and dedication to the sport remain unwavering as he navigates this challenging period in his career.
