The Mystery Woman Behind Dan Evans: Meet Aleah

By Lewis Barnett 4 July, 2025 6 mins read 30 Views

Look, I'll be honest with you.

I've been covering tennis for years, and there's something about Dan Evans that just gets to me. Maybe it's because the guy's 35 and still grinding it out at Wimbledon (currently ranked 154th, which sounds terrible but honestly isn't for someone his age). Or maybe it's because every time I see him play, there's this gorgeous brunette in the stands who looks like she'd rather be anywhere else but is there anyway.

That's Aleah. And their story? It's messier and more real than most tennis romances.

Play Article Audio

A Coffee Shop Meet-Cute (Sort Of)

Back in 2017, Evans was having what you'd politely call a "rough patch." The man got slapped with a 12-month ban for cocaine use. Career over? Probably should have been. But apparently, while he was figuring out his life in Winchcombe (yes, that tiny Cotswolds town), he met Aleah at her work.

I've tried digging into what kind of work, but Evans keeps his mouth shut tighter than a Wimbledon security guard. The guy gives interviews like he's being interrogated by the tax office.

What I do know is this: she stuck around through the ban, through the comeback attempts, through all of it. That tells you something about her character. Or maybe she just really likes stubborn tennis players from Birmingham.

Cheltenham Life & Coffee Shop Confessions

They live together in Cheltenham now, which is about as far from the tennis circuit glamour as you can get while still being civilized. Evans once told Gloucestershire Live (and I'm paraphrasing because his quotes are painfully mundane): "It's good here. We have a nice coffee shop."

The Coffee Dispensary on Regent Street, if you're keeping track.

He also mentioned they hunt for good coffee shops when he's on tour, which is either the most boring travel hobby ever or actually kind of sweet. I can't decide.

"This is the first week home, for a full week, for a year probably," he said in that same interview. Poor Aleah. Dating a tennis player means you're either traveling constantly or sitting at home wondering if your boyfriend's going to make it past the first round.

The Woman in the Stands

Here's what kills me about Aleah: she shows up.

Wimbledon 2021, 2024, 2025 - there she is, looking effortlessly put-together while probably dying inside watching Evans battle through matches that could go either way. I've seen the photos. She's got that tense smile that says "I love you but this is torture."

She was even courtside in Paris during the Olympics, which means she's either genuinely supportive or has developed Stockholm syndrome from years of tennis watching.

The woman clearly has taste though - she always looks incredible. Long brown hair, understated elegance, the kind of style that makes you think she could be doing literally anything else with her life but chooses to follow around a tennis player who peaked at world No. 22 back in 2017.

What We Don't Know (Which Is Everything)

Evans is frustratingly private about their relationship. No social media PDA, no cute couple interviews, no wedding rumors. They've been together since 2017 and I still don't know Aleah's last name with certainty.

Maybe that's refreshing in an age where every athlete's girlfriend has her own Instagram empire. Or maybe it's just really good PR management.

What I do know is that she was there when Evans faced Djokovic in the second round this year (spoiler: it didn't go well), and she'll probably be there for whatever comes next. Whether that's more Wimbledon runs or retirement planning, who knows.

Sometimes the best love stories are the quiet ones nobody talks about.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a top-level tennis player's daily training look?

A top tennis player's daily training program is rigorous and well-structured. It can include several hours of training on the tennis court. This includes technical drills as well as tactical practice and match play scenarios. The players will also take part in a fitness program designed to increase their strength, flexibility, and endurance. This includes stretching, massages, or other recovery techniques such as physiotherapy. In addition, proper nutrition and mental coaching are essential components to ensure athletes maintain peak performances both physically as well as mentally.

How can tennis players balance their training with schoolwork?

It is difficult for tennis players to balance their academic obligations with intense training schedules. It requires excellent time management, prioritization, and often creative scheduling. Online schooling programs and flexible academic schedules can help young athletes manage their training and travelling schedules. The support of family, coaches, educational institutions, and other stakeholders is also crucial to ensuring that athletes can achieve their athletic dreams without compromising on their education.

Is it possible to become a tennis professional if you start late?

Even though it can be more difficult, someone who starts playing tennis later on in life is still able to reach professional status. Success depends on an individual's athletic abilities, work ethic, commitment, and accessing quality coaching and competitive opportunities. It may take longer for late starters to achieve professional levels, as their training will be intense and highly focused.

At what age should a player begin training to have a chance at becoming a professional?

There is no specific age for beginning professional tennis training, but starting early gives you an advantage. Many professional players begin their training between the ages 4 and 7. Early development is crucial for players to develop a solid base of skills, coordination, and technique. But it's also important to maintain a balance between training and childhood development, to encourage a love of the sport without burnout or injury.

How important is it for you to compete at junior tournaments if you want a career as a professional tennis player?

Junior tournaments are a vital step on the road to a tennis professional career. These tournaments are a great way for young athletes to gain experience playing against others, test their skills, and develop the necessary mental strength to play competitively. Junior tournaments provide a good stepping stone for players to move up to higher levels of competition. They also have an impact on their ranking, their visibility in front of coaches and sponsors, as well as the overall development they make as athletes.

Statistics

Studies show that superior agility and speed among tennis players can reduce their reaction time by up to 30%, which is crucial during high-level matches.
On average, it's estimated that only 1 in 5000 high-level junior tennis players will develop into internationally ranked professionals.
Strength and conditioning coaches emphasize core strength, noting that an increase in core stability can improve shot accuracy by up to 43%.
Statistical trends indicate that top tennis players usually have at least 5 people in their support team, including coaches, fitness trainers, and physiotherapists.
Persistent mental training and sports psychology can help reduce performance anxiety by up to 60%, according to sports psychologists working with elite athletes.

External Links

How To

How to build endurance for long tennis matches

In order to improve your endurance, it is important to combine both aerobic and aerobic exercise. For better aerobic capacity, start by adding moderate-intensity cardio sessions, like cycling or running. Add high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which will improve your anaerobic capacity and recovery time after intense rallies. Simulate match conditions in the gym by engaging with practice matches and practicing long baseline rallies. Include core strengthening exercises as a solid core is crucial to your endurance on court. To maintain high levels, you should also pay attention to nutrition and adequate recovery.