Dan Evans said he was ‘disgusted’ that his rivals didn’t trust his call on a ball marking during what was a tense first round doubles match at the French Open.
Evans and partner Hubert Hurkacz were taking on Dutchman Matwe Middelkoop and Brazilian Marcel Demoliner in a late-night encounter on Wednesday when both teams clashed. During what was an at times highly-charged encounter, tensions boiled over in the third set after Middelkoop and Demoliner said a ball had hit the Brit during a point, which he denied. If he did, the British-Polish duo would have lost the point.
Following on from that incident, Evans was then bemused by Middelkoop not trusting a ball marking that he circled on the court. It was at that stage when the two tennis players confronted each other during a changeover which resulted in the umpire getting down from his chair and intervening.
“I’d say I’m pretty fair,” the Press Association quoted Evans as saying following the match. “For me that there is as good as calling me a cheat, which is disgusting. And I won’t let that go and that’s why I told him when we went 5-2 up.
“Some of these guys seem to be happy to give it out to us but don’t like it when it comes back their way and I’ve no issues with doing that. I was pretty angry on the court. I don’t like that.
“There’s one thing that us Brits are is too fair in my opinion. I would say if it hit me. I don’t think it hit me.
“They won the point so I don’t see what the big deal is. It’s embarrassing chat from the pair of them. It’s desperation in my opinion. I’m still seething.”
Prior to Evans’ comments about the match, it appeared that both he and Middelkoop had resolved their differences after touching elbows following their disagreement. The 2020 version of a handshake during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There’s plenty of time to think about it,” added Evans. “A few more weeks until he plays again, poor kid.”
Controversy aside Evans and Hurkacz went on to win the match 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-5. The duo faces a tough test in the next round where they will take on second seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos who have already won three clay court tournaments this year, including the Italian Open.
Evans was knocked out of the singles draw on Sunday after losing in five sets to Kei Nishikori.
