French Open: Dan Evans promises ‘soul-searching’ after ‘shocking’ loss, Robson backs Brit to ‘thrive’ on grass

Dan Evans says he will do some “soul-searching” after his “shocking” first-round loss at the French Open, while Laura Robson backed the Brit to “thrive” during the upcoming grass-court season.

Evans has not had a vintage 2023 so far, winning just eight matches to reach June with only a 35% win percentage.

But it was his own game that he rounded on following his defeat in Paris.

“I’ve got my own battles to deal with right now on the court,” Evans began. “I’ve got to get my game in a spot where I’m able to compete at this level. I’ve been very poor in the big tournaments this year.

“[I had an] incredibly kind draw in Australia [at the Australian Open, where he reached the third round] and came through a few matches, but I’ve been poor in the Masters, the one good tournament this year.

“I said the other day there’s some soul-searching. There will be plenty of that in Saint-Cloud tonight, wherever I am. [I’ve] got to get on and try and get my game in a good spot.

“It’s shocking right now how I played. It’s disappointing. I thought I was in a good spot coming in, but I felt like that the whole time. It’s not good enough.”

Evans was clear that the foot fault controversy had affected his chances.

“It just totally threw me where I was then serving from,” he said. “My technique sort of got thrown out. It was difficult from then on.

“I sort of lost all trust in where my feet were. It’s a very minor thing, but it became a pretty big thing in my head. It was then difficult to get away from that, especially on second serve because I just didn’t feel I knew where I was on the court.

“It’s strange. If they’re going to call that foot fault, it shouldn’t be from 35 metres away, from fence to fence through a net. But, again, that’s not the reason I lost, but I was right in the match at that point. But they find a way of getting involved. Whoever it is up in the chair, they find a way, and they’re good at it. They get involved plenty.

“Again, that’s not anywhere near the reason why I lost. I was bottom drawer from start to finish, and he was decent.”

Running the rule over Evans’ frustrations was Eurosport’s Laura Robson, who re-watched the footage of Evans throwing down a water bottle and protesting to the umpire.

“Dan is not shy of arguing with the chair umpire – if he feels he’s right,” Robson began.

“The foot fault was called from the far end of the court, which is quite a tough call to be honest.

“And it is a foot fault. He’s always someone who moves his back foot slightly as he’s in the motion, so it’s more the timing of the call, but I think it is a foot fault.

“It [the incident] is not as bad as I would have thought.

“We’ve seen worse – arguably today. It’s just a bit of drama.”

Robson admitted her surprise at seeing Evans depart the tournament in the first round but she feels the 33-year-old can “thrive” during the upcoming grass-court season.

“I’m gutted for Evo, I thought that was a really good match-up for him,” she said.

“Dan played some really good tennis in Rome, he lost that absolute marathon match [against Roberto Carballes Baena], he played really aggressive, attacking clay tennis.

“I was hoping he was going to bring that in the faster conditions.

“I don’t think Dan will change much [on grass]; his game has always stayed fairly similar across all the surfaces.

“Grass is where he thrives, he probably can’t wait to get out there on the grass courts and get some practices.

“I wouldn’t worry about Dan too much on the grass.”

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