The Briton Daniel Evans was banned from the ATP for one year for cocaine use. Now he is allowed to work again and receives support.
In addition to Maria Sharapova’s two-year doping ban, Daniel Evans’ violation of the rules made negative headlines in the tennis world. A year’s cocaine ban was imposed on the British shortly after the French Open in Paris last year. This ban now expired on April 24, 2018 and the Briton may officially participate in ATP tournaments again.
Evans will be supported by British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith. “We’ve been talking about this for a long time. I can understand that opinions are divided about him as a person. But he did exactly what was asked of him,” Smith told the National.
The reason for the British captain’s statement is that Evans received a wildcard from Smith for the Glasgow Challengert tournament. Smith wants to help Evans gain a foothold in the professional business again. “I believe Evans’ case is different from Sharapova’s, because Evans has not taken any performance-enhancing measures,” Smith added. Smith clarified, however, that he and the British federation do not want to approve or tolerate the 27-year-old’s actions or infringements.
But Evans regretted his actions and worked hard and under control to get back to playing tennis, Smith said, who had been closely associated with Evans in his rehabilitation and helped him a lot.
The wildcard for the Scotland-Challenger should bring Evans back to the sport. Whether to play or just to watch, the Davis Cup captain explained.