Evans to take time away from tennis after first round Wimbledon defeat

Dejected Dan Evans will take some time away from tennis after suffering another shock first round Wimbledon defeat. The British No.2, 33, went down against Frenchman Quentin Halys in four sets under the Centre Court roof late on Tuesday night. Ad Evans kicked off his clash on Monday but was unable to complete it that day owing to the fading SW19 light.

TennisSwan using solid grass court campaign as platform for US Open18 MINUTES AGO And after a chaotic Tuesday of rain-caused cancellations, Evans had the conclusion of his match moved to the All England Club's most prestigious court in the evening after Andy Murray had triumphed earlier in the day. Evans pulled a set back in front of a partisan home crowd but was unable to hold his nerve in the fourth as Halys, ranked almost 50 places below the world No.30, booked his place in the last 64. The Birmingham player reached the third round of the Australian Open in January but has now succumbed to two consecutive first round exits at his home Grand Slam.

And ahead of September's US Open at Flushing Meadows, Evans said: «I think now it's important to spend time with family and friends. »Tennis won't be on my agenda for a little while. «It's been a long six months or seven months, whatever it is.

It's important to recharge and get ready for a good swing in America, which I enjoy. But it's important to rest as well. »That's all I'm really going to do for a bit and then start back up.

«I wouldn't say I've hit a wall — it's just frustrating, annoying, whatever, but I'm not sure what else you can do. You've just got to keep competing. »I think I need a few days away from thinking about tennis and not talking about tennis.