British tennis player Dan Evans expressed frustration with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) following the rejection of his request for a Wimbledon singles wildcard as he concluded his 20-year professional career. Evans, who announced his retirement at the All England Club, had hoped to mark his farewell with a final appearance in the men’s singles tournament this year.

Instead, Evans competed in doubles alongside partner Henry Searle, where they were defeated 6-2, 6-4 by the ninth-seeded duo of Hugo Nys and Édouard Roger-Vasselin on Court 15. After the match, Evans criticized the LTA for a lack of communication and transparency regarding the decision not to grant him a singles wildcard.

“The last month has been nothing short of a shambles from them,” Evans said. He added that despite his longstanding contributions to British tennis, no official from the governing body had taken the time to explain the reasons behind the denial. Evans said he would have appreciated straightforward feedback on his form or fitness, acknowledging that an honest conversation was the “job” of the organization.

Wildcard selections for Wimbledon are officially made by the All England Club, which consults with the LTA, the national governing body for tennis in Britain. While Evans was offered a doubles wildcard, he noted his surprise at not being granted entry into a smaller event in Ilkley the previous month, which could have allowed him to demonstrate his readiness for Wimbledon competition.

“I’m not angry, but, jeez, tell the truth,” Evans remarked regarding the Ilkley wildcard refusal. He indicated that the explanation he received—that all wildcards had already been allocated—did not align with his experience on the professional circuit, where he said wildcard decisions are typically made later.

The LTA released a tribute to Evans on its website in recognition of his career, but Evans expressed disappointment that no one from the association had reached out personally to congratulate him. “Communication is a big thing in tennis,” he said. “I have not seen any of them. Serious. No one spoke to me this week. No one has congratulated me on my career this week.”

Reflecting on the end of his professional journey, the 36-year-old said he plans to mark the transition with friends and family. “I’m not going to go home and get like I used to when I was young, but I’ll have a few beers. I’ll sit down with friends, family, and probably reminisce a bit. It’s been great,” he said.