‘Flat’ Dan Evans laments ‘bittersweet’ title, saying ‘no one is going to remember I won’ in a few weeks

The ups and downs of sport can be cruel sometimes and Dan Evans admits he has gone through the full repertoire in recent days as he fell at the first hurdle of the Australian Open, just days after winning his maiden ATP Tour title.
Evans went into Tuesday’s first-round clash against fellow Brit Cameron Norrie on a high after beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final of the Murray River Open on Sunday.
He reached a career-high of No 26 on the back of that result and as the British No 1 he was the favourite to beat Norrie.
However, he was slow out of the blocks as he lost the opening set and, although he drew level in the second, Norrie came out on tops with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory.
Afterwards Evans admitted that the title-winning run from last week had a negative impact on him.
“I think when you’re flat mentally, it pays off on you physically. I wasn’t very energetic, started very slowly,” he said.
“You know, I prepared as well as I could, but I could feel myself talking a lot, and it was tough to get out of. I was definitely probably tired mentally, and then – I did a good job to hang in the match.
“But yeah, this is sort of exactly the reason I told you guys I wouldn’t play the week before the Grand Slams was to try and conserve my body, and it’s happened again.
“Obviously the circumstances have dictated that, but he lost first round last week, got shed-loads of practice in this week and then probably could dictate his own days, and I didn’t get that chance. Granted, I won last week, but it doesn’t feel that good now.
“So yeah, it’s a bit bittersweet really. Like I want to do well in the Grand Slams, and due respect to that tournament, no one is going to remember I won that in three weeks’ time.
“Yeah, it’s difficult to swallow, but you know, it is what it is now. I’ve had worse, so just move on.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Diego Schwartzman seals emotional title on home soil in Buenos Aires
Diego Schwartzman cruised to a 6-1 6-2…
-
ATP Tour
Andrey Rublev’s stunning record in ATP 500 events continues with Rotterdam win
Andrey Rublev continued his stunning run in ATP 500 events as he defeated Marton Fucsovics 7-6(4), 6-4 to win in Rotterdam.
-
ATP Tour
Roger Federer hopes to return to ‘100 per cent’ fitness in time for Wimbledon
Federer has needed two operations to correct a long-standing knee issue.
-
WTA Tour
On This Day in 2016: Maria Sharapova reveals positive drugs test
The five-time Grand Slam winner would ultimately be banned from tennis for 15 months.
-
News
Francisco Cerundolo eyeing remarkable family first ahead of Argentina Open final
Cerundolo is looking to emulate his younger brother Juan Manuel by winning his first ATP title.
-
WTA Tour
Classy Petra Kvitova in dominant form as she eases to Qatar Open title
Petra Kvitova stormed to her 28th career title and second at the Qatar Open win with a 6-2, 6-1 rout of Garbine Muguruza in Doha.
-
ATP Tour
WATCH: Roger Federer practices in Doha as he learns his fate in the draw
Roger Federer could face a clash against Britain’s Dan Evans in the first match of his comeback event in Doha.
-
ATP Tour
Andrey Rublev’s stunning run of form continues as beats Stefanos Tsitsipas
Andrey Rublev stirmed into his fourth straight ATP 500 final with a 6-3, 7-6(2) victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas in Rotterdam.
-
ATP Tour
Roger Federer sends fans crazy with a social media post ahead of his return to action
The moment Roger Federer fans have waited almost a years to see is nearly here as he prepares to return to action next week.
-
WTA Tour
Garbine Muguruza into the final in Qatar after Victoria Azarenka pulls out
Victoria Azarenka withdrew ahead of the Qatar Total Open semi-finals to send Garbine Muguruza.