LONDON — British tennis star Dan Evans has cautioned top players about complaining over scheduling at the Queen's Club Championships, suggesting some grievances are unwarranted. The world No. 27 defended tournament organizers amid criticism from high-profile players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov, about late finishes and tight turnarounds.
Evans, who has played at Queen's for over a decade, acknowledged the challenges but urged perspective: "Everyone wants perfect conditions, but sometimes you just have to deal with it. The grass season is short, and the tournament does its best." His comments come after defending champion Alcaraz voiced frustration over finishing a match at 9:30 p.m. and returning less than 12 hours later.
Player Complaints and Scheduling Challenges
Several top seeds have raised concerns about the packed schedule at Queen's, a key Wimbledon warm-up event. Alcaraz, Dimitrov, and Tommy Paul all faced late-night matches followed by early starts, prompting complaints about recovery time. Dimitrov, who lost to Paul in a late-finishing quarterfinal, called the situation "unacceptable for player welfare."
However, Evans pointed out that unpredictable weather and the condensed grass-court season make scheduling difficult: "It's not ideal, but it's the same for everyone. The tournament can't control the rain delays." He also noted that Queen's traditionally prioritizes finishing on time to avoid Monday finals, which disrupts travel plans for players heading to Wimbledon.
Key Scheduling Issues at Queen's 2024
The tournament faced several logistical hurdles this year, including:
- Multiple rain delays pushing matches into the evening
- A packed draw with only five days of main-draw play
- TV broadcast requirements extending playing hours
Despite these challenges, Evans argued that players should adapt: "We know grass is different. If you want a later start, maybe don’t play Queen’s. There are other tournaments." His stance contrasts with Alcaraz, who called for "better planning to protect players."
Tournament Organizers Respond
Queen's tournament director Luiz Carvalho acknowledged the concerns but emphasized logistical constraints: "We always prioritize player safety, but with a 32-player draw and unpredictable weather, compromises are inevitable." He also noted that the ATP rules allow for minimum rest periods, which were adhered to.
The ATP released a statement supporting the event: "Queen's is a historic tournament with unique challenges. We work closely with organizers to balance competitive fairness and player recovery." However, some players have suggested extending the event to six days or reducing the draw size.
Evans' Call for Perspective
Evans, who lost in the second round, urged fellow players to consider the bigger picture: "Grass-court tennis is brutal, but it’s two weeks of the year. Everyone’s in the same boat—just get on with it." He also highlighted that Queen's offers one of the highest prize money pools among ATP 500 events.
Former British No. 1 Tim Henman backed Evans' view, telling the BBC: "Scheduling is never perfect, but players have to be flexible. The grass season is a sprint, not a marathon."
Looking Ahead to Wimbledon
With Wimbledon starting on July 1, players now shift focus to the All England Club, where scheduling is less congested. Evans concluded: "Queen's is a great event, but if players want changes, maybe the ATP needs to look at the calendar. Until then, we just have to manage."
The debate highlights ongoing tensions between player demands and tournament logistics. While stars like Alcaraz push for reforms, veterans like Evans advocate for adaptability in the sport's most unpredictable season.