Dan Evans fails drug test

Originally published on 23/06/17 00:00

The Birmingham native, ranked No.50 in the world, tested positive for cocaine during the Barcelona Open in April. Evans was subsequently charged on June 16 for an Anti-Doping Rule violation and he has accepted the findings that cocaine was in his sample.

"I made a mistake and I must face up to it," said the British No.3. "It's really important you know this was taken out of competition and in a context completely unrelated to tennis. I do not condone for one second to anyone that this is acceptable behaviour. I have let a lot of people down – my family, my coach, my team, sponsors, British Tennis and my fans. I can only deeply apologise from the bottom of my heart. This has been a sad and humbling experience."

Evans will be provisionally suspended with effect from June 26 pending the determination of the case.

The 27 year-old withdrew from this week’s Aegon Championships in London with a calf injury and he was not expected to be fit in time for next month's Wimbledon.

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