British Tennis Star Dan Evans Tests Positive for Cocaine, Apologises to Fans

Great Britain's Davis Cup star Dan Evans has confirmed he failed a drugs test in April, testing positive for cocaine. 

Evans, ranked 50th in the ATP world rankings, revealed he found out about the test earlier in the week and provided more detail in a press conference on Friday. BBC Sport’s Dan Roan relayed the statement made by the 27-year-old:

Per BBC Sport, the Birmingham-born player was last in action on June 10, when he pulled out of a tournament at Surbiton with a calf problem.

According to Stuart Fraser of the Times, the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme have confirmed Evans has been provisionally banned from playing as of Monday, June 26.

As noted by Mike Dickson of the Daily Mail, Evans failed the test during a busy portion of the 2017 season:

The ban will be a major setback for a player whose career has been on the rise as of late.

In 2015, Evans had slumped to a world ranking of 772, although some improved form and renewed focus saw him surge up the standings to scale an extremely respectable 41st in the ATP list in March this year.

Kevin Mitchell of the Guardian noted similar offences saw Martina Hingis suspended for two years in 2007 and Richard Gasquet given a one-year ban in 2009 that would later be reduced.