British number three Dan Evans has announced that he has tested positive for cocaine.
Evans is currently sidelined with a calf injury which he sustained during a grass-court event at Surbiton at the start of the month, but this development suggests that he faces a lengthy period out of the sport.
The drugs test in question took place in April, a month which saw Evans represent Great Britain in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup and take part in clay-court events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
In a statement, the 27-year-old said: "This is a very difficult day for me and I wanted to come here in person to tell you face to face. I was notified a few days ago that I had failed a drugs test in April, where I tested positive for cocaine.
"It's really important that you know this was taken out of competition and in context completely unrelated to tennis. I made a mistake and 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.
"I can only apologise from the bottom of my heart. This has been an extremely sad and humbling experience."
Over the course of the last year, Evans has enjoyed the most successful period of his career with third-round appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open being followed by reaching the last 16 at the Australian Open in January.
In the same month, he also reached the final of the Sydney International, where he lost out to Gilles Muller.
Darren Plant
