Former British number one Dan Evans brought the curtain down on his career in disappointing fashion after a rapid first-round loss in the men’s doubles with Henry Searle at Wimbledon.
Evans revealed on June 11 his intention to retire from the sport after two decades as a professional following his home grand slam, but no fitting finale followed with the 36-year-old frustrated to be snubbed of a wild card at Queen’s before a repeat situation occurred for the singles tournament at Wimbledon.
A wild card was awarded to Evans for the doubles at the grass court Grand Slam and he joined forces with compatriot Searle, but the duo had little answer to ninth seeds Hugo Nys and Edouard Roger-Vasselin, who won 6-2 6-4 in 67 mins on Court 15.
After Evans waved to a bumper crowd on Court 15, the former world number 21 said: “It was amazing. Sometimes you take it for granted this tournament when your in the midst of your career trying to get better and better.
“I said last night to my agent, I have really enjoyed walking around this week, taking it in, watching some of the other Brits and my friends.
“I am good, it’s just emotional and thinking of my family and all the sacrifices.
“You live out your dreams, don’t you? That is what you grew up watching, getting home from school to watch Wimbledon and I was one of the lucky few to get to play here.
“It was worth it in the end. No, I have enjoyed every minute of it on these courts.”
Warm applause greeted Evans’ arrival on the outside court in between Court One and Centre, but the British pair were immediately broken after an excellent backhand winner by Roger-Vasselin.
A stoppage occurred at 3-0 due to noise from one of the nearby speakers before a successful hold on Evans’ serve got them on the board.
Searle, the junior champion who has played at Wimbledon with Evans in each of the last two summers, managed to hold next time, but an overhead sent long by the 20-year-old handed Nyes and Roger-Vasselin the first set with another break in half an hour.
The home favourites produced a more competitive display in the second set, fighting back from 15-40 down early on to hold after a fine smashed volley by Evans.
Evans was unhappy with a call during the seventh game, but soon had to contend with the looming reality of retirement when he went 0-40 down on his serve.
A misjudged slice by Evans handed Nyes and Roger-Vasselin the decisive break only for the wild cards to impressively hit back instantly, but it proved a short-lived lifeline after Searle was broken again to end the career of his British partner in low-key fashion.
