He may’ve lost to Andrey Rublev on Saturday, but an act of sportsmanship from Dan Evans won him some fans at Margaret Court Arena.
With Rublev leading 5-4 in the pair’s third-round clash, Rublev asked a ball kid for a banana during a changeover.
Overhearing the fifth seed, Evans gestured to Rublev and tossed a banana his way, with Rublev very much amused by the act of generosity.
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It proved a timely potassium boost for Rublev, who then broke Evans’ serve to take the first set 6-4 before running away with the following two sets and the win in just over two hours.
Even in defeat, Evans was gracious when explaining his banana sharing moment.
“They actually asked for four bananas, and I quite like him, so I shared with him,” he said.
“That was about it. They only brought two, so I donate them too so he could have one.”
Rublev, who will now aim for a seventh grand slam quarterfinal appearance, said the moment was bizarre but welcome.
“I mean, it was just, I think it was just a fun moment,” he said smiling.
“Obviously even if he wouldn‘t give it to me, if he wouldn’t share the banana with me, obviously I will have banana anyway because the ball boy will bring it to me.
“But it was a fun moment. In the end, even you ask about this question. It was just a nice and fun moment between us.
“Like he said and you said, we have a great relationship between each other. We played great matches. I think we played quite a lot already, and he win some matches and I win some matches.
“Yeah, but I won the last one now. Next time he will need to take revenge.”
Rublev’s win now sees him lead the head-to-head with Evans 4-3.
He will face ninth seed Holger Rune in the fourth round.
