Great Britain’s Dan Evans to miss Davis Cup Finals due to calf injury

Great Britain will be without Dan Evans for the upcoming Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain after the world No. 38 suffered a calf injury at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna last month. Evans was leading Frances Tiafoe 4-1 in the opening set of their first-round match when he injury occurred as he prepared to sprint toward the net to retrieve a Tiafoe drop-shot.

There were initial fears that Evans had sustained a torn Achilles’, but ensuing MRIs revealed nothing more than a calf issue. Nonetheless, the 33-year-old will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Evans’ absence is a big blow for the Brits, who could have used him in both singles and doubles. He is the second-ranked singles player from that country, trailing only world No. 18 Cameron Norrie. Andy Murray (42nd) and Jack Draper (82nd) are Great Britain’s other players in the top 100 of the ATP rankings.

Evans also starred in doubles during the Davis Cup group stage, partnering Neal Skupski to win a thriller against France and earn the Brits’ spot in Malaga.

“For me, that was the be-all and end all–to play Davis Cup for your country,” Evans said afterward. “And it still is.”

Now, though, Evans will have to wait until 2024 to put on the British colors. Without him in Malaga, captain Leon Smith will turn to the likes of Norrie, Skupski, and perhaps Murray and Draper.

Great Britain is joined in the Finals by Canada, Finland, the Czech Republic, Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, and Serbia. The Davis Cup Finals begin on November 21. As they get closer, Caesars sportsbook will have odds to win–both futures and individual matches.

It will be Great Britain vs. Serbia in the quarterfinals. Other matchups are Canada vs. Finland, the Czech Republic vs. Australia, and Italy vs. the Netherlands. Canada is the defending champion. Great Britain last won the Davis Cup in 2015, when Murray clinched victory by beating Belgium’s David Goffin.