Retired tennis player nevertheless entertains (5)

I believe the answer is:

evert

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'retired tennis' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'player nevertheless entertains' is the wordplay.
'entertains' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (the answer is welcomed or entertained by the clue).
'EVERT' is hidden within 'player nevertheless'.

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(Other definitions for evert that I've seen before include "Hitter of 6 [TENNIS BALL]" , "Chris --, female tennis star" , "Chris - - (women's tennis)" , "Former US World No 1 tennis player, b. 1954" , "arrange to have the wrong side out?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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