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Dan Evans awaits Wimbledon wildcard decision

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Dan Evans awaits Wimbledon wildcard decision — Will Evans get a wildcard? (Picture: Getty Images)

Dan Evans has put himself in the frame for a Wimbledon wildcard with his form over the past few weeks, but admitted the decision is out of his hands.

The Birmingham-born star has enjoyed a fine run since his return from a year-long drugs ban after testing positive for cocaine, winning 16 of his 21 matches.

After reaching the final at the Nature Valley Open in Nottingham, Evans was beaten narrowly on his return to the ATP Tour at Queens, failing to serve out the match at 5-3 up in the decider before losing 4-6 6-0 5-7 to Frances Adrian Mannarino.

Evans ranking of 340 is too low to automatically go into qualifying, but the Brit has shown better form than the vast majority of his compatriots heading into the grass-court Grand Slam.

The All England Clubs wildcard committee met on Tuesday, with a decision on who will receive main draw and qualifying wildcards set to be announced on Wednesday morning.

But Evans – who is yet to be given any indication as to whether he will get a wildcard – is expecting to go through pre-qualifying.

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To be honest, I havent read anything or done any, you know, spoke to anyone about it, he said.

Like I said, if Im playing prequallies, its still an opportunity to get into the tournament. You know, if someone had said Id be playing prequallies a year ago, Id have taken it. Its fine by me if Im playing in that tournament.

My ranking gets me in prequalifying. There has been no discussions with anybody about anything, and thats up to other people, not myself.

When asked if he thought hed proved his worth, he added: Im not really sure what worth you mean. I just play the matches and see how I do.

You know, there is some great players now in Britain. Were doing pretty well. You know, hopefully I can just get up the rankings.

Its not about British tennis, like me proving to anybody in British tennis. Its about me proving to myself and the other players that Im worthy of playing these tournaments.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) – who handed Evans a main draw wildcard for Queens – usually advises the All England Club over which British players should be under consideration, but chief executive Scott Lloyd insists the final decision is out of his hands.

We have put forward our British players, including Dan, in terms of a form guide to the All England Club for their consideration, he said.

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We have obviously supported Dan. Hes winning matches right now. The form hes in is good.

Whether there is, you know ‑ Dan ultimately and the All England Club will decide as to kind of how he might or might not navigate into that tournament.

Its great to see him playing well. Its great to see him getting matches under his belt. Hopefully that will give him great confidence for, you know, the season ahead, in particular, the hard court season coming up through the summer. You know, we want to see him back playing at the top of his game.

Evans compatriot Andy Murray admitted it was a tough call to make for the committee.

I mean, its a difficult one, The Scot said. Hes obviously played extremely well the last few weeks in terms of, like, his level and stuff. He deserves it.

Whether or not its the right message to be sending, I dont know, but then some would say hes obviously served his, you know, his time and, you know, should be given a second chance.

So well see what happens. Hes probably got a decent chance of it, I think.