British tennis player Dan Evans will compete in the Wimbledon qualifying draw this week after tournament organizers did not grant him a main draw singles wildcard for his final career appearance at The All England Club.
The 36-year-old former world number 21 announced earlier this month that the upcoming grass-court Grand Slam would be the final tournament of his career.
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However, because Evans is currently ranked number 244 in the world, he did not meet the direct entry cut for the main singles field.
Wimbledon organizers instead awarded the final two men's singles wildcards to Great Britain's Felix Gill and Harry Wendelken on Wednesday.
The decision forced Evans into the qualifying bracket, where he is scheduled to play world number 157 Juan Carlos Prado Ángelo of Bolivia in the first round.
Evans' Frustration with Wildcard Decisions
Evans previously expressed dissatisfaction regarding a similar wildcard snub at the Queen's Club Championships, where he only received a qualifying wildcard from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).
"I’m looking forward to finishing on a high across these final two tournaments and giving everything I have one last time," stated Evans.
Following that statement, the British veteran publicly questioned the local governing body regarding his exclusion from the main draw of his final lead-up events.
"I would say you hope to do enough years of service for your country to maybe get one in your last tournament at Queen’s, but that wasn't the way they went...
