DAVIS CUP FINALS

September 14, 2022

Daniel Evans

Team Great Britain

Press Conference

T. PAUL/D. Evans

6-4, 4-6, 6-4

USA - 1

Great Britain - 0

THE MODERATOR: Can you start with your thoughts on today's match?

DANIEL EVANS: It was a good match. I probably lost the match in the first set. Very slow court. It took a lot to get used to the balls. Very slow.

Yeah, in the third I didn't really get my chances. Well, I got chances, but I didn't take them. All credit to Tommy. I thought he served well when I had my chances.

Yeah, it's difficult. It's a tough one. But, yeah, another good effort I guess. That's Davis Cup, isn't it? They're all tough matches. We knew this one was going to be tough. It certainly proved to be for me.

Yeah, I played good tennis. Just couldn't get over the line.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Just wondered if it surprised you and the team how slow it is here, both the courts and the balls?

DANIEL EVANS: At the start, yeah, I think we were the first people to hit on it. Yeah, then obviously you throw in all the match environment. It's always a bit slower when you're playing, as well, when it's an actual match.

It is what it is. It's a hard, physical court to play on. I mean, you guys could tell that, I guess. Yeah, it was very slow. But, yeah, nothing to do with the court to why I didn't win the match. I had my chances. Yeah, come up short.

Q. How different was the atmosphere given the very somber buildup, the fact there was no music at change of ends?

DANIEL EVANS: Yeah, it was a great atmosphere, but I think that's exactly right. It was somber in change of ends. I mean, something was missing. That's what it is at the minute.

We're very lucky to be playing. Thankfully the event was allowed to go on. Yeah, we're just doing the best out of what we can. Yeah, it was still a good atmosphere, still enjoyed it. It was very different, yeah.

Q. When did you know you were playing? Can you tell us anything about the sort of discussions that were going on about the various permutations at Leon's disposal?

DANIEL EVANS: Yeah, I found out actually days ago. I'm not involved in those discussions really.

Q. You're not involved?

DANIEL EVANS: No. I'm in the team. I'm not the captain.

Q. So you were literally told?

DANIEL EVANS: Yeah, I got told I was playing singles. Yeah, obviously the guys are going to play dubs. Yeah, that was that.

I thought that was pretty -- yeah, I wasn't surprised when I was playing. I thought that's what the team would have been, definitely the singles.

It can change. I think now there will be a discussion. Obviously there's more permutations now after you see what happens the first day. See what time it finishes tonight. I doubt there will be a discussion tonight, yeah.

Q. Obviously it's looking like it's going to be quite a tight group. Are you feeling good for the next matches if you're called on again?

DANIEL EVANS: Yeah, there was nothing wrong with my tennis today. Well, there was everything right with it. I just didn't take my chances I think. Missed two forehands on break points, if I remember rightly.

I just didn't hit them well. Again, on break point, it was very slow. The balls were heavy. It was difficult. End of the match physically it's hard to get behind the ball. I just missed them.

If I get a chance, I'll be all right I think. If I don't, there are some other guys who can play some decent tennis out there.

Q. You said before that you felt like you'd lost it by the end of the first set. Is that something you think about now or during the match were you thinking about those missed chances?

DANIEL EVANS: No. Just looking back at it, I think the crowd did a great job to get me back in the match. If I got hold of that first set, he was up against it. When it got a set all, I felt I had the momentum.

I just couldn't nick a break. After a set, if you get that set, I think in that building, that court out there, it's hard to -- I was in his service games a lot. I think the pressure was definitely on him.

But, yeah, not on the court. Looking back, now looking back at it, quick look back, yeah, probably. But, no, I'm not thinking about that on the court.

Q. One more about the speed of the court. Take yourself out of it, do you think it's good for the event to have such a slow court, playing on this timetable?

DANIEL EVANS: I think it's nice for the fans. I think they saw some good tennis. I think, if you remember, Ottawa was like lightning fast. There wasn't much tennis going on there. It was one and two shots, serve-volleying.

You guys are better to answer that. Did you enjoy the match? Was it good to watch? I don't know how long the rallies were, can't really remember much of it. It felt like a good match.

Don't know. I mean, what was it, two-and-a-half hours? I think they could do with a shot clock. That might help a bit, you know?

Q. Just curious what you make of Tommy, his game, the difficulties of playing him. He's improved a lot recently.

DANIEL EVANS: Yeah, he likes to be aggressive. He likes to not be rushed. That proved difficult to do that. When I did it, I thought he passed very well.

He played well. I can't say I missed too many chances. I had chances. I thought he come out pretty good on those break points.

When he had a chance, he took me in the 5-4.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.

DANIEL EVANS: Cheers, guys.