LONDON — British tennis star Dan Evans has humorously threatened to ban his own father from attending his highly anticipated Wimbledon clash against Novak Djokovic, citing his dad's notorious on-court antics as a potential distraction.
Evans Jokes About Father's Courtside Behavior
The world No. 27 made the playful remarks during a press conference after securing his place in the third round at SW19. When asked about facing the seven-time Wimbledon champion, Evans quipped, "I might have to tell my dad to stay home for this one—he gets a bit too involved sometimes."
Evans' father, David Evans, has become something of a cult figure in British tennis circles for his passionate courtside reactions during his son's matches. The 32-year-old Birmingham native elaborated:
- "He's been thrown out of clubs before for shouting too much"
- "At Queen's last year, he was nearly in an argument with someone"
The Djokovic Challenge Ahead
The lighthearted comments came as Evans prepared for his toughest test of the Championships—a Centre Court showdown with the 23-time Grand Slam champion. Djokovic leads their head-to-head 3-1, though Evans famously defeated the Serbian at Monte Carlo in 2021.
"Obviously Novak is Novak," Evans said with respect. "He's won here more times than I've probably won matches here. But I'll give it my best shot—maybe with slightly less vocal support from the family box this time."
Father-Son Tennis Dynamic
The relationship between Evans and his father has been well-documented throughout his career. David introduced his son to tennis at age 7 and coached him during his early professional years before Dan began working with full-time coaches.
"We've had our moments," Evans admitted. "When I was younger, he'd tell me exactly what he thought about my game—whether I wanted to hear it or not. Now he just shouts it from the stands instead."
Wimbledon's Famous Atmosphere
The All England Club is known for its strict decorum policies, though player boxes often feature more animated behavior. Evans joked that his father might test those boundaries: "Centre Court might not be ready for him if I'm doing well."
Tournament officials confirmed they have no special restrictions planned for Evans' guest, with a spokesperson stating: "We welcome passionate support within the bounds of good sportsmanship and our traditional standards."
Preparation for the Big Match
As for his actual preparation, Evans revealed he would rely on his recent grass-court form rather than family advice. The British No. 2 reached the semifinals at Queen's Club earlier this month and has looked sharp in his opening Wimbledon matches.
"I'll stick with my team's game plan," he said. "Though if my dad sneaks in, I might have to ignore any tactical suggestions shouted from the stands."
Conclusion: Family First, But Business on Court
While Evans' comments were clearly made in jest, they highlight the unique pressures of playing at home in Wimbledon. The 32-year-old acknowledged the special dynamic: "At the end of the day, he's my biggest fan—even if he's sometimes my loudest critic too."
As for whether David Evans will actually be banned? "We'll see," his son laughed. "If I'm winning, he can stay. If I'm losing, he might get escorted out for everyone's sanity."