Andy Murray sends special Dan Evans message amid ATP firing shot

Andy Murray has sent Dan Evans a heartwarming message after he officially announced his retirement from professional tennis.

Evans decided to call time on his career in the sport after he and Henry Searle lost in the opening round of the men's doubles.

The wildcard pair were defeated in straight sets, 6-2 and 6-4, by Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys on Court 15.

The 36-year-old, who had reached as high as 21st in the world only three years ago, wasn't just upset about losing on his final Grand Slam appearance, but also angered by the call to leave him out of the Wimbledon singles.

Evans fired a parting shot at the ATP for the snub, claiming they "didn't have the minerals" to give him an explanation for the decision in an angry statement.

"I just don’t understand the reasoning for it, and nobody has given me a decent reason," he said.

“If they said: ‘Listen, you’re a bit overweight right now’. No, I’m serious, like if they said: ‘You’re a bit out of shape’.

“But nobody’s had the minerals or however you want to phrase it to come over from the governing body, who I think I have done plenty for, and given me an explanation.

“I think that’s just…it’s pride, isn’t it? I don’t know. Is that the word?"

Evans is a well respected player in the sport, and he's widely recognised for his involvement in Great Britain’s successful 2015 Davis Cup team alongside Andy Murray.

The pair also played with each other in the World Cup of tennis throughout their careers and were side-by-side when the three-time Grand Slam champion played his final match at the Paris Games.

Therefore, it was no surprise to see Murray congratulate his friend and former teammate on an exceptional era in the sport.

Andy Murray's heartwarming message to Dan Evans

“Unbelievably talented guy,” Murray told the LTA, describing the two-time ATP title-winner. “Very competitive, loves to compete. He’s got a good heart Evo and he absolutely loves British tennis.

“He’s been a huge part of the Davis Cup teams over the years. He’s done extremely well.

“He’s a bit of a throwback in the way he plays the game. He has a very different game style to what you see on tour these days, and it’s always fun to watch him.”

For what he has achieved in the sport, Evans clearly can feel hard done by after being snubbed from the Wimbledon singles, with attention turning to his plans post-retirement.

And he already wants to give back to the next generation, as he's been training with Britain’s 2023 Wimbledon Junior Boys’ singles champion Searle.

"I want to give back to somebody from my sort of area,” Evans admitted. “There's something about him that excites me. I think he's got a decent chance.”

The 20-year-old will certainly have a successful career in the sport if he follows Evans' guidance, that is for sure.