British tennis star Dan Evans once issued a stark threat to quit the Great Britain Davis Cup team, feeling profoundly 'insulted' by the captain's persistent decision to overlook him for doubles matches.
The Explosive Revelation
In a candid 2022 interview, the singles specialist revealed the depth of his frustration after being snubbed for the doubles rubber during the 2021 Davis Cup Finals in Austria. Evans, a crucial member of the historic 2015 British-winning team, dismissed the notion that his lack of regular tour-level doubles play should be a factor.
"It's disappointing. To be frank, it's a bit insulting also that I haven't been picked ever to play the Davis Cup [in doubles]," Evans told the i. He was careful to note his comments were "meant in the nicest possible way to the doubles guys" but stood firm in his belief that his doubles ability was being unfairly judged.
A Plea Ignored and Mounting Frustration
The situation came to a head in Austria, where captain Leon Smith opted to pair Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury for the doubles, restricting Evans to singles duty alone. Evans confirmed he had actively sought the opportunity, having even practised specifically with Skupski for a year with the Davis Cup in mind.
"I had the conversation [asking to play] in Austria. I played with Neal before for a year to try and play Davis Cup, and didn't get picked. I'm at a loss as to why I've never played," he stated, labelling the continued omission as both "frustrating" and "insulting."
This led him to a breaking point, forcing him to reconsider his future involvement. "It's something I have to think about going forward if I want to put myself in that position again," Evans warned, suggesting a decisive conversation with Smith might be necessary.
Resolution and Aftermath
Evans' strong stance eventually yielded results. The following year, he was finally selected for the doubles alongside Skupski during a critical away tie against Colombia. The pair secured a victory in their rubber, helping Great Britain triumph 3-1 overall and book their place in the Davis Cup Finals.
However, Evans was forced to miss the 2023 finale due to injury. The British team's journey in the 2025 competition has already concluded, following a 3-2 defeat by Japan in the initial qualifying round. Meanwhile, the current finals are underway without British involvement, with Italy advancing to the semi-finals in Bologna.
