Image source, Getty Images
- Author, Jonathan Jurejko
- Role, BBC Sport journalist at Wimbledon
Britain’s Dan Evans expects to be fit enough to play Wimbledon after overcoming a knee injury caused by slipping at Queen’s.
The 34-year-old was left in tears after falling at the back of the court in his first-round match against Brandon Nakashima on 18 June.
He initially feared the problem could rule him out of his home Grand Slam – and possibly stop him representing Great Britain in an Olympics for the first time.
However, he sought a second opinion from a knee specialist last week, who diagnosed a “bad strain”.
“The scan was showing a lot worse than it was, but the test of my muscle, the structure of my knee, was all good,” said Evans, who was wearing heavy strapping before practice later on Friday.
Evans has been drawn against Argentine 24th seed Alejandro Tabilo in the first round, in a match which will take place on Tuesday.
The world number 61 returned to practice on Wednesday, just eight days after suffering the injury.
Over the weekend, Evans plans to ramp up his court time and does not foresee any issues stopping him facing Tabilo.
The British number three said he was “getting there” after what he described as “some good and hard rehab” to make the knee stronger.
“My knee is in a good stable structure,” added Evans, who has spent “a lot of time” in the gym and swimming pool to regain fitness.
“There is no risk of aggravating it, unless I slipped again. That would be a bit of an issue.
“But I’ve been assured by the knee specialist there is no real risk of hurting it again – I trust his take on it.”
Wimbledon begins on Monday and runs until 14 July.