Dan Evans to return from one-year drug ban in Glasgow after positive cocaine test

Evans has been given a wildcard entry at the Glasgow Trophy

Evans has not played since testing positive for cocaine last year

(Getty)

Former British number four Dan Evans is set to end his one-year drugs ban for taking cocaine at the end of April after being offered place at the Glasgow Trophy.

The 27-year-old tested positive for cocaine during the Barcelona Open in 2017 but is eligible to return to professional competitions on 24 April after passing the “agreed checks” by the Lawn Tennis Association and has been given a wildcard in Glasgow.

Prior to his ban, Evans had reached a career-high ranking of 41 in the world after reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open but said he was “grateful” for all the support he has received from the LTA during his suspension.

Evans has been allowed to access LTA facilities and support from the end of February, as per the terms of his suspension.

“I have learned a lot about myself in my time away from the game, a sport that I love very dearly,” he said. “I am now committed to training hard, resuming my career and getting back to where I was, although appreciate this will take time.

“If there is a lesson to be learned here it's that it is every athlete's responsibility for what they put into their bodies.”

Despite having the LTA’s continued support, performance director Simon Timson insisted it would only remain on the basis of Evans’ “non-negotiable commitment to ongoing monitoring”.

“The LTA condemns any form of doping, which has no place in our sport,” he said. “We have been having regular contact with Dan and he has shown genuine commitment to getting his tennis career back on track.

“He has passed our agreed checks over the last six weeks and it is on this basis we have agreed to provide him with a place in the qualifying tournament for the upcoming ATP Challenger event in Scotstoun from 28 April.”