Evans given one-year ban for cocaine use
LONDON: Britain’s Dan Evans was hit with a one-year suspension on Tuesday after testing positive for cocaine in April.
Evans, ranked 108th, failed the drug test at the Barcelona Open in April and went public with the result at an emotional press conference in June.
The 27-year-old’s ban has been backdated and he will be eligible to play again on April
24 next year.
“A sample was found to contain cocaine and its metabolite,” a statement from the International Tennis Federation read.
“A decision has been issued under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme that Daniel Evans has committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Article 2.1 of the Programme. It was agreed that a period of one year’s ineligibility should be imposed, commencing on 24 April 2017.
“The ITF accepted Mr Evans’ account of how the cocaine got into his system and that he bears no significant fault or negligence for the violation.”
Evans, speaking via his agent, vowed to return to action after the ban.
“Following the announcement made from the ITF today, I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this difficult period,” he said.
“I am determined to return to the sport I love and compete at the level I know I can in the not too distant future.”
Birmingham-born Evans had enjoyed his best run at a Grand Slam earlier this year when he defeated former US Open champion Marin Cilic en route to the last16 at the Australian Open.
He also helped Britain win the Davis Cup in 2015 and was ranked a career-high 41 in the world earlier this year.