Dan Evans, a prominent Davis Cup player, expressed his frustration in 2022 over being overlooked for the doubles event, to the extent that he contemplated quitting the Great Britain team. Evans, a key member of the victorious British Davis Cup team in 2015, felt slighted by the selection decision that sidelined him from the doubles match.
In an interview with the i newspaper, Evans conveyed his disappointment and perceived insult at never being chosen to play doubles in the Davis Cup. Despite his limited doubles experience on the tour, he emphasized his proficiency in doubles matches when given the opportunity. Evans argued for a more nuanced approach in selecting players for the Davis Cup ties, suggesting that game style compatibility should outweigh doubles rankings in the decision-making process.
The contentious issue arose when Evans was left out of the doubles lineup at the 2021 Davis Cup Finals in Austria, where he was exclusively assigned to singles matches while Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury formed the doubles pair. Expressing his bewilderment and dissatisfaction with the situation, Evans highlighted his previous attempts to secure a doubles spot and his willingness to engage in discussions with team captain Leon Smith to address the matter.
However, Evans eventually had his wish granted in the subsequent year when he and Skupski clinched a crucial victory in the doubles match against Colombia. Despite Evans facing defeat in his singles match, Great Britain emerged triumphant with a 3-1 victory, securing their place in the Davis Cup Finals. Unfortunately, Evans missed the 2023 finale due to an injury setback.
As of 2025, Britain is absent from the Davis Cup Finals after suffering a 3-2 defeat to Japan in the initial qualifying round. Italy, led by Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli, advanced to the semi-finals by overcoming Austria. Despite missing their top players, Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, Italy displayed exceptional quality to secure victory. Berrettini and Cobolli’s impressive performances propelled Italy into a last-four clash against Belgium, with Berrettini securing a singles win over Jurij Rodionov and Cobolli sealing the team’s victory by defeating Filip Misolic.
