British No.4 Dan Evans explained on Monday in Madrid why he feels he’s actually the British No.3. When told he was British No.4 after his 7-5, 6-2 loss to Robin Haase in Madrid on Monday, he asked “Fourth?” according to ESPN. When it was explained that he was behind Aljaz Bedene he then curtly replied. “Oh, so I’m third.”
Bedene began the week as No.56 in the world; Evans was 58.
Evans went on to elaborate further. “I don't think he really believes he's British either,” Evans told the BBC in Madrid. “It's nothing against Aljaz. I like him, he's not confrontational in any way - but to me it doesn't sit well if you play for another country. I don't feel bad about him, but for me it's a bit baffling as to why.”
Bedene is Slovenia-born, but moved to Britain in 2008. He became elegible to play under the British flag in 2015 when he became a citizen.
It’s not the first time that Evans has questioned Bedene in public. Just last week he made the following reply on Twitter, regarding the ITF’s decision last year to not allow Bedene to play Davis Cup for Great Britain.