Mirror man Evans looks to end his wild ways
DAN EVANS is targeting a return to Wimbledon without needing a wild card after winning the ultimate compliment from Roger Federer.
The British No4 admitted he had been in a “bad place” back home in Cheltenham during the Australian Open last year as he served a 12-month drug ban.
But Swiss superstar Federer yesterday claimed it was “like playing a mirror” as the world No189 all but matched the defending champion for the first two sets before finally succumbing to lose 7-6, 7-6, 6-3.
Evans, who was not invited to play at SW19 in July last year despite his ban ending in April, said: “I’d like to be in the main draw at Wimbledon off my own ranking.
“Obviously it’s a difficult conversation regarding the wild cards. I would rather not be in that conversation, asking for my own wild card. I’d rather be there with my own ranking.
“It would be a lot easier for a lot of people. That would mean I have won a lot of matches. Obviously this week helps.
“It’s a lot easier to play against Roger – there’s not as much pressure. Right now I have to do it in the tournaments I’m expected to win. That’s the real test for me – it’s not coming here to lose to Federer.”
The former world No41, who tested positive for cocaine in April 2017, revealed: “I didn’t watch any of the matches here in Melbourne last year. I was in a bad place. The nine months I had off were terrible.
“A lot went on, and a lot has gone on – a lot of s*** basically.
“Since I have been back, it has been difficult. Obviously there have been a lot of doubts and stuff. I did nothing for such a long amount of time.
“It’s so alien when you come back. I just thought it was normal to wake up in the morning, be OK and go and play. I didn’t think about it.
“Now I have to focus on it, because I hadn’t done it for so long. So it was difficult at the start. But it’s good that I come here and I still get up to play here. If I couldn’t, that would have been a big issue.
“I don’t want to be playing qualifying at Grand Slams, that isn’t what I want to be doing. I’m no way near where I want to be yet.”
In a fun match, Federer asked Evans if he was happy to continue in the drizzle and he replied: “Sure – I am going to be the one doing all the running!”
One fan also called out ‘C’mon Peaky’ to the Brummie, who was playing a blinder. Evans missed two consecutive volleys while leading 5-4 in the first tiebreak but insisted: “No regrets. I put my game on the court and some matches you come off second-guessing. I don’t think I did any of that today.”
And asked about Federer’s compliment, Evans said: “I think he meant in game style rather than level.”