Doping scandals are slowly clouding over the game of Tennis. While the world is still recovering from Sharapova’s ‘act of ignorance’, British Player Dan Evans has tested positive for cocaine, something that he admitted yesterday in a press conference in London.
Evans failed the drug test during the Barcelona Open in April and wanted to come clear through this press conference. Evans said that the drug was taken for matters totally unrelated to Tennis, but accepted that such an attack deserved punishment and that he would be ready to face the consequences.
“This is a very difficult day for me and I wanted to come here in person and tell you guys face to face that a few days ago I was notified that in April I tested positive for cocaine,” Evans said
“It’s really important to know that this was taken out of competition and in a context completely unrelated to tennis.”
“I made a mistake and I must face up to it. I do not condone for one second that this was acceptable behaviour,”
“I’ve let a lot of people down, my family, my coach, my team, sponsors, British tennis and my fans and I can only apologise from the bottom of my heart.” he added.
Evans has been provisionally suspended from Tennis and will await further judgement for failing the drug test!
“Mr Evans was charged on 16 June with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation,” the International Tennis Federation Anti-Doping Programme said in a statement.
“Mr Evans has accepted the finding of cocaine in his sample collected on 24 April.
“As positive tests for Non-Specified Substances carry a mandatory Provisional Suspension, Mr Evans will be provisionally suspended with effect from 26 June…pending determination of the case.” they added.
The Lawn Tennis Association(LTA) said that they condemn any form of drug intake and that Evans will have to go through the entire procedure.
“We absolutely condemn any form of drug-taking and will support the process which needs to take place,” said the LTA
“We are in touch with Dan and we will offer appropriate guidance, support and education to him on how best to address the issues he now faces.” they added
Richard Gasquet and Martina Hingis have been banned for cocaine consumption in the past, and while Gasquet got off with only a 2 and a half month suspension, Hingis was presented with a 2-year one.
Dan Evans was enjoying his best year in Tennis, having reached the finals in Sydney and being ranked 50 in the World.
