Daniel Evans has appealed for more diversity in British tennis and shared his interest in other players from working-class backgrounds.
Evans has enjoyed a solid tennis career since turning professional in 2006 and the British player reached a career-high in the ATP rankings in 2021 when he was number 22 in the standings. In addition, the 33-year-old has won the Davis Cup and the Murray River Open title.
Ahead of the 2023 Wimbledon, Evans has outlined his desire to see more people from diverse backgrounds in tennis. Evans went to a state school, was raised by working-class parents and he told the Express that he wants to see more people in the sport who have 'struggled' before reaching the top.
"I speak out because I care about the sport. People always think it’s against the governing body (the LTA) but it’s not that. I’m not interested in how a doctor’s son does in the sport, I’m really not. I couldn’t care less. I’m interested in somebody who’s struggled a bit."
In particular, Evans points to the rise of Paul Jubb, who took 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios to a five-set epic in the second round. Jubb also came from a working-class background as he was raised by his grandmother in Hull.
However, since Jubb's limelight experience at Wimbledon last year, he has since dropped over 200 places into 449th in the ATP Rankings. Evans said he is eager to see more people like Jubb break into the tennis elite and challenge for titles.
"Paul Jubb’s story is an amazing story but it’d be amazing for some for him to get inside the top 100. I’m not saying people who have it harder feel a better level of relief or satisfaction when they get inside 100 or they do something good, but it just strikes a chord with me how good that is."
"And I know what it feels like. I never ever wanted as a child. But it feels good to be comfortable. It’s an amazing feeling. And it’s an amazing thing to get success in such a big sport in the world where you probably shouldn’t be doing that if you grew up at a little tennis club. It’s a pretty cool thing. And that’s why I look out for the other people from that sort of background. It’s only right."
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