Dan Evans has been hit with a one-year ban after testing positive for cocaine in April, the International Tennis Federation announced.

The former world No. 41 is eligible to return to competition on April 24th, 2018.

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The then 50th-ranked Evans failed a drug test at the Barcelona Open where he reached the round of 16 before bowing to Dominic Thiem, 7-6 (5), 6-2. Evans provided a urine sample on April 24th at the Barcelona Open. That sample was sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency accredited laboratory in Montreal, Canada for analysis, and was found to contain cocaine and its metabolite.

Cocaine is a non-specified substance prohibited under category S6 of the 2017 WADA Prohibited List (stimulants), and therefore is also prohibited.

Evans promptly admitted his violation.

The ITF said in a statement it "accepted Mr. Evans’ account of how the cocaine got into his system and that he bears No Significant Fault or Negligence for the violation."

The 27-year-old Evans has not played a match since retiring from the Aegon Surbiton Trophy quarterfinals with a left leg injury while leading Dustin Brown.

"I do not condone for one second to anyone that this was acceptable behavior," Evans said. "I have let a lot of people down – my family, my coach, my team, sponsors, British tennis and my fans. I can only deeply apologize from the bottom of my heart. It is a sad and humbling experience."

Former world No. 1 Martina Hingis served a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine though Hingis has always maintained she did not knowingly ingest the drug.

Photo credit: Christopher Levy