Evans: I’m so sorry I’ve let you down

From Back Page for performance-enhancing reasons. Cocaine is often dismissed as not performance-enhancing — World Anti-Doping Agency regulations state that it is banned only in competition — but French anti-doping authorities have challenged that stance amid concerns that such cases are on the rise. Former world No 1 Martina Hingis tested positive for cocaine in 2007 and was banned for two years, while the ITF sought to ban Richard Gasquet for two years when the stimulant was found in his system in 2009 but accepted he took it inadvertently on a night out. Evans said: ‘This is a very difficult day for me. I wanted to come here in person and tell you face to face I was notified a few days ago that I failed a drugs test in April, where I tested positive for cocaine... this was taken out of competition and the context completely unrelated to tennis. ‘I made a mistake and I must face up to it. I can only deeply apologise from the bottom of my heart. It is a sad and humbling experience.’ LTA performance director Simon Timson said: ‘We are very disappointed at the news. We absolutely condemn any form of drug-taking.’