“I gave away the last point, but I couldn’t care less" Evans admits to tanking at Roland Garros
ATP
Following his triumph in Melbourne at the start of the season, Daniel Evans is struggling to show his best tennis in 2022, as he crashed out of the Roland Garros in the second round.
After winning against a very solid clay-court player, Francisco Cerundolo, in the first round of the clay-court Grand Slam, Evans took on Michael Ymer in the second round.
Although it looked quite well for the Brit after the first two sets when the score was tied, he eventually lost the match after leading 3-1 and having two break points in the fourth set.
After the match, he admitted that he "gave away the last point," as he didn't care about the match at that point.
"I gave away the last point, but I couldn’t care less to be honest with you. I think I’d put enough effort in for three-and-a-half hours. I was physically spent. That was it for me. That’s the way it is. It was a difficult match. It’s frustrating and it’s upsetting, don’t get me wrong, but that’s the way it goes."
Evans also admitted that he wasn't 100% healthy during his match. The British player has been battling a chest infection since last Tuesday, which made it difficult for him in the match.
"I’ve had a chest infection since Tuesday last week. I’ve been struggling just with that really. It’s not ideal really. Normal symptoms, sweating a lot in the night, bad sleep. The normal stuff. It probably took a lot out of me playing through, getting ready. It’s unfortunate."
"Still it’s not an excuse. I was in some good situations but physically I wasn’t spot on. It is what it is. Did I consider pulling out? No. In the middle of last week I was a little worried, it’s not nice to be rough. I don’t want to be spitting on the court, it isn’t nice especially in this day and age."
"But I’m sure people understand if you’re ill, you’re ill. I’ve never cramped up in my life and I was cramping today after two-and-a-bit hours. Annoying, but it’s hard lines."
