Evans accuses lta of lacking 'minerals' in refusing wimbledon singles wildcard

Brit Dan Evans delivered a scathing broadside at the Lawn Tennis Association, accusing them of 'lacking the minerals' to explain why he was denied a Wimbledon singles wildcard after announcing his retirement.

Evans bows out with doubles defeat

Evans, who once rose as high as 21st in the world rankings, ended his 20-year career with a doubles defeat on Court 15, partnering Henry Seale in a 6-2, 6-4 loss to ninth seeds Hugo Nys and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

But the 36-year-old was far more fiery in his assessment of the LTA's handling of his exit, claiming the governing body had failed to provide a decent reason for not giving him a wildcard for the men's singles event.

'The last month has been nothing short of a shambles from them,' Evans said. 'That's the bottom line. You speak to people, you talk to people. I just don't understand the reasoning and nobody has given me a decent reason.'

Evans also expressed frustration at not receiving a wildcard for a minor tournament last month, which could have given him a chance to prove his form and earn a Wimbledon wildcard.

'I'm not angry, but, jeez, tell the truth,' he said. 'You can't give me a wildcard into Ilkley? The reasoning was they were all given out. I have been playing tennis for 16 years on the tour and I have always known the wildcards aren't given out on a Monday. Come on, guys.'

Evans called for greater communication from the LTA, saying he had not seen any of the governing body's officials this week and no one had congratulated him on his career.

When asked how he would feel when he woke up no longer a professional player, Evans quipped: 'Hungover.'