Andy Murray on ‘great teammate’ Dan Evans, competing together at the Olympics & advice for life after tennis
• 3 minute read
As former British No.1 Dan Evans calls time on his professional tennis career, there has been an outpouring of messages and congratulations from players across the tour.
A popular figure, known for his competitive streak and his love for the game, Evans has certainly left his mark on the British game after a brilliant career on court.
One person who knows Evans about as well as any other player is his former Davis Cup and Olympics teammate, Andy Murray.
Evans and Murray played with each other in the World Cup of tennis throughout their careers and were side-by-side when the three-time Grand Slam champion played his final match at the Paris Games.
We spoke to Murray to discuss his friend and teammate’s career, his achievements, and what Evans is like away from the court.
“Unbelievably talented guy,” Murray said, describing the two-time ATP title-winner. “Very competitive, loves to compete. He’s got a good heart Evo and he absolutely loves British tennis.
“He’s been a huge part of the Davis Cup teams over the years. He’s done extremely well.
“He’s a bit of a throwback in the way he plays the game. He has a very different game style to what you see on tour these days, and it’s always fun to watch him.”
Evans and Murray spent a lot of time with each other at Davis Cups over the years – most notably as part of the 2015 team that lifted the title in Ghent.
Arguably, their most memorable moment together came in Paris for the men’s doubles at the Olympic Games.
Murray had announced that this was set to be his final tournament and that he would be playing with Evans to represent Team GB one final time. Evans had been set to defend points in Washington – the biggest title win of his career – but put that on hold to play with the former world No.1.
The two produced some standout results to reach the quarter-finals before bowing out to Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul. It was a memory that Murray will cherish forever.
“He would have been on some of the Davis Cup teams when he was around 19, 20-years-old – that’s when started playing together,” Murray said on when he first met Evans. “We competed together for Britain all the way through to the Olympics.
“Paris was an amazing event – certainly for me – but we had some incredible matches there, both of us were really passionate. It was a great ending for me, I loved it.
“To have Evo by my side playing the way he did and going about the way he did is an amazing memory. In my dressing room at home I’ve got that photo of the two of us celebrating in unison after the point.
“Evo is a great teammate. He’s unbelievably passionate, super lively. He was not scared to tell you what he thought or give his opinion.
“I think that’s why he played in the team for such a long time. He put everything in to those years playing Davis Cup – whether he was playing or supporting the team. He was a great member of the team and there was never a dull or quiet moment when he was around.”
Having only retired himself a couple of years ago, Murray is well placed to give his former teammate some advice for life after tennis.
Evans is currently exploring a route into coaching and Murray is also building experience in that area with Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper.
Murray had a few words of wisdom Evans as he enters this new stage of his career.
“I think he needs to improve his golf - he’ll have a bit more time to do that now,” Murray joked.
“In retirement, it’s great to try new things as well. All tennis players, we do one thing for our whole lives. It’s good to experience new things.
“He’s obviously started doing a bit of coaching now with Henry Searle. I think that’s brilliant. To have someone like him with that passion for British tennis and the experience that he has. I think it’s great that he wants to do that straight away and support one of our brightest prospects.
“I think he’ll do a great job as a coach. He has unbelievable tennis IQ, very knowledgeable about the game. I wish him well in whatever he does next.”
