Dan Evans defeated Juan Carlos Prado Angelo in straight sets on Monday to advance in Wimbledon qualifying. The British player, set to retire after the tournament, had been denied a singles wildcard by the All England Club.
Evans beat the Bolivian 7-6(2), 6-3 in the first round at Roehampton. He used the post-match press conference to address the wildcard snub and clarify his motivation.
“It’s neither here nor there if they gave me a wildcard,” Evans said. “I love the tournament, but I am no more motivated to win matches here because I didn’t get the wildcard. I play tennis for myself, not to prove other people wrong.”
The 36-year-old received a doubles wildcard alongside Henry Searle. He will next face Australia’s Tristan Schoolkate for a place in the second qualifying round.
Several other British players also reached the second round on the opening day, including Billy Harris and Oliver Tarvet.
