Australian Open 2019: Dan Evans hits out at Jamie Murray – ‘So we’re celebrating people who didn’t make it at singles?’

‘Jamie thinks we should be celebrating six pairs inside the main draw of a grand slam. So we are celebrating people who didn't make it at singles and people who didn't have the attitude to work hard enough to make it in the singles game’

Dan Evans has fired back at Jamie Murray over his criticism of the Lawn Tennis Association and claimed that doubles players "didn't work hard enough" to make it in singles.

Murray spoke out after his second-round pairs victory at the Australian Open on Saturday, accusing the LTA of under-valuing doubles and not making the most of his coach Louis Cayer.

Murray said the Canadian should be performance director but Evans vehemently disagrees and told the Daily Mail: "Who exactly has Louis Cayer ever coached apart from doubles players? Why would British tennis allow him to take charge? It's a ludicrous comment.

"Jamie thinks we should be celebrating six pairs inside the main draw of a grand slam. So we are celebrating people who didn't make it at singles and people who didn't have the attitude to work hard enough to make it in the singles game?

"I like the doubles guys and they've done well, but to think we should celebrate this so the kids growing up look up to this as a huge achievement is completely wrong. Kids want to be in the second round of main draw singles events not doubles.

"We are the only country in the world to have a doubles coach travelling round paid for by the federation at the grand slams, they also receive medical and sports science help so saying they aren't appreciated simply isn't correct."

PA