SHANGHAI — British number two Dan Evans was forced to retire from his first-round match at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday, a distressing scene that left his opponent, Roman Safiullin, visibly upset and the crowd in a state of concerned silence. Evans, the 33-year-old veteran, was trailing 4-6, 0-3 when he abruptly halted play, unable to continue due to a severe and sudden calf injury that left him struggling to move on the court.
The incident occurred during the early stages of the second set on Court 2 at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena. After a competitive first set where he was broken late, Evans’s movement became increasingly labored. He received a medical timeout for treatment on his left leg but attempted to play on, only to quickly realize the injury was too debilitating to continue, shaking his head in frustration before approaching the net to concede the match.
A Sudden and Painful Halt
The match had begun with both players holding serve comfortably, but Evans’s first sign of trouble came when he was broken at 4-5 to lose the opening set. As he began to serve in the second set, his gait noticeably changed. He was seen flexing his left calf and hobbling between points, his face a mask of pain. After dropping his serve to fall behind 0-2, he called for the trainer.
During the medical timeout, the physio worked extensively on Evans's left calf, but the brief respite offered little relief. Upon resumption, Evans’s movement was even more compromised. After just one more game, which he lost, he walked to the net and informed Safiullin and the chair umpire that he could no longer continue, a decision met with immediate concern from all parties involved.
Safiullin's Reaction and Sportsmanship
The most poignant moment of the afternoon came from the reaction of the victor, Roman Safiullin. Rather than celebrate his advancement to the second round, the Russian player was visibly distraught, his head bowed as he packed his bag. He looked genuinely upset for his stricken opponent, a display of sportsmanship that did not go unnoticed by commentators and fans alike. The two shared a long, quiet conversation at the net, with Evans apparently explaining the severity of the situation.
In his post-match press conference, Safiullin expressed his disappointment with the circumstances of his victory. He stated, "It's always tough to see a colleague go out like this. We are athletes, but we are also human. I could see he was in real pain and there was nothing he could do. I wish him a very speedy recovery."
A Concerning Pattern for Evans
For Dan Evans, this retirement marks another frustrating setback in a season that has been plagued by inconsistency and physical problems. This is not his first mid-match retirement in recent memory, raising questions about his physical conditioning as he navigates the latter stages of his career. His 2023 season has been a struggle, with this latest injury threatening to derail the remainder of his autumn schedule, which is crucial for ranking points.
Key events Evans may now be in doubt for include:
- The European Open in Antwerp
- The Swiss Indoors in Basel
- The Paris Masters, the final Masters 1000 event of the year
The Road to Recovery
Immediately following the retirement, Evans was helped by tournament physios and did not put any weight on his left leg as he left the court. The initial diagnosis from the ATP Tour physiotherapist is a left calf strain, the severity of which will be determined by further scans once the swelling subsides. Recovery times for such injuries can vary widely, from a few weeks for a mild strain to several months if it is more severe.
Evans later released a short statement through his management team, saying, "Absolutely gutted to have to pull out of Shanghai. I felt a pop in my calf and knew immediately it was bad. Thanks to everyone for the support. I'll get it scanned and go from there. Congrats to Roman on the win."
The Bigger Picture in Shanghai
The Shanghai Masters is the penultimate ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the season and a critical event for players jostling for position in the season-ending rankings and for a spot in the prestigious ATP Finals in Turin. Evans's exit, while unfortunate, opens the draw for Safiullin, who will face either Francisco Cerundolo or local wildcard Bu Yunchaokete in the next round.
The incident also casts a shadow over the British Davis Cup team's preparations for the upcoming Finals group stage in Manchester. Evans is a key component of the British squad, both in singles and, crucially, in doubles alongside Neal Skupski. His potential absence would be a significant blow to Captain Leon Smith’s plans.
Tennis fans and pundits took to social media to wish Evans a swift recovery, praising Safiullin for his empathetic response. The unfortunate event served as a stark reminder of the physical demands of the sport and the fine line athletes walk between peak performance and injury. The hope now for Evans, his team, and British tennis fans is that the damage is not long-term and that the popular competitor can return to the court sooner rather than later.