{"id":298003,"date":"2023-11-03T06:54:17","date_gmt":"2023-11-03T06:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=298003"},"modified":"2023-11-03T06:54:17","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T06:54:17","slug":"neal-skupski-recalls-evans-chat-after-nasty-injury-as-davis-cup-squad-in-limbo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/tennis\/neal-skupski-recalls-evans-chat-after-nasty-injury-as-davis-cup-squad-in-limbo\/","title":{"rendered":"Neal Skupski recalls Evans chat after nasty injury as Davis Cup squad in limbo"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Neal Skupski has opened up on Dan Evans\u2019 nasty injury after spending time with the 33-year-old after he hurt his calf at the Vienna Open. Evans has since been forced to pull out of the Davis Cup after playing a pivotal role in their last outing as he and Skupski won the decisive doubles rubber to get Britain into the Final 8. Speaking exclusively to Express Sport, Skupski explained that he spent the evening with Evans in Vienna after the world No 37 got a scan.<\/p>\n

With Britain set to contest their Davis Cup quarter-final tie against Serbia in three weeks\u2019 time, the team has been left without main man Evans after he picked up a calf injury minutes into his Vienna Open match against Frances Tiafoe. The two-time title winner was arguably the team\u2019s MVP during the group stage held in Manchester in September, dazzling in both singles and doubles.<\/p>\n

Even 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic had singled him out as the big threat to Serbia\u2019s chances of advancing at the World Cup of men\u2019s tennis. But the British No 2 was forced to pull out after scans showed that the injury was serious. Skupski, who partnered with Evans in doubles at the Davis Cup, was with the 33-year-old in Vienna when he learned the news.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was actually watching Dan at the time and as soon as I saw it, I knew he was in a bit of trouble,\u201d the doubles world No 3 told Express Sport. \u201cHe had a scan and then I spent the next night with him in Vienna just to have dinner and a chat about how he was and to see if he was ok.\u201d<\/p>\n

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While British tennis fans hoped that the calf injury was nothing more than a little tweak, it emerged that the Birmingham native needed to spend some time on the sidelines. Skupski added: \u201cVery disappointing for him to be out for a good length of time.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut hopefully he gets back stronger, he\u2019s a great player and hopefully we can get him back into the Davis Cup team as soon as possible.\u201d It remains to be seen who is brought into the Davis Cup squad to replace Evans. With Cameron Norrie, Andy Murray and Jack Draper already in the team alongside Skupski, captain Leon Smith may look to add a doubles specialist.<\/p>\n

As Skupski\u2019s successful Davis Cup doubles pairing with Dan Evans has been snatched away, he has also been caught out on the ATP Tour. His partner of two years, Wesley Koolhof, recently informed him that they would no longer be playing together for the 2024 season. It means that this year\u2019s Wimbledon men\u2019s doubles champion must scramble to find someone else to play with.<\/p>\n