
British tennis star Dan Evans was seen hitting himself in the head with his racket during Thursday’s defeat to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.
Evans was supported by a passionate home crowd on Centre Court but Djokovic was at his best to wrap up a 6-3 6-2 6-0 second-round victory.
British No.5 Evans lost his cool in the fourth game of the second set after he fired a shot straight into the net as he started ranting towards his box.
‘It’s stupid!’ Evans shouted about a shot he had been suggested to use, a backhand slice, as he then proceeded to hit himself in the head with his own racket before play eventually continued.
‘Evo’s turn to have a proper rant at his box,’ former British No.1 Tim Henman said on commentary duties for the BBC.
Former British No.1 Laura Robson, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, said that Evans failed to put Djokovic under any real pressure during the match.
‘Djokovic just had another level to step up to,’ Robson said after Djokovic’s victory in straight sets was confirmed.
‘Evans played solid in the first two sets, moved well, but it felt like Djokovic played big points and big moments as you expect him to.
‘It felt like his stage out here and he wants to showcase the best of himself.’
‘A Brit in Britain is never easy to face’
Djokovic, speaking on the court after his win over Evans, said: ‘A Brit in Britain is never easy to face.
‘Dan Evans can be causing a lot of trouble if you are not on your game which I think I was from the beginning to be honest.
‘I knew exactly what I needed to do and I executed it perfectly. Sometimes you have these kinds of days where everything goes your way.’
‘Margaritas on the beach with Federer and Nadal’
Djokovic, asked whether he reflects on his first appearance at Wimbledon in 2005, added: ‘I don’t pause to reflect. I don’t have time. Being on the highest level on professional tennis requires a lot of dedication.
‘I don’t play as much as I did before but the weeks I don’t play, I play at home with my kids. I don’t reflect fully on everything I have been through.
‘I would like to but I think that will come when I set the racquet aside and then sip Margaritas on the beach with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and just reflect on our rivalry and everything.’