
Dan Evans (zimbio.com)
Great Britain’s Dan Evans has been backed to rise back into the world’s top 100 following a drugs ban by former player and tennis analyst Mark Petchey.
The 27-year-old returned to the tour this week after serving a 12-month doping ban. During the 2017 Barcelona Open, Evans tested positive for cocaine and was subsequently suspended. His comeback started at a Challenger event in Glasgow, where he received a wildcard into the qualifying draw. The British player managed to reach the main draw, meaning he will regain an ATP ranking, but lost in the first round to world No.238 Lucas Miedler.
“I’m not really disappointed, it was a good match, he’s better than his ranking I’m sure of that and it was a good level match,” Evans said following the defeat.
Looking at the bigger picture, former world No.80 Petchey believes Evans has the ability to return back to the main stage of the tour. The Birmingham-born player have been ranked as high as 41st in the world. At the start of the 2017 season he reached the fourth round at the Australian Open for the first time. During the same month he also reached his first and so far only ATP Final is Sydney.
“He’s already qualified for a tournament, lost in three to a seeded player, but Dan’s a fantastic player. He’s very talented and is one of those players who hits the ball out the middle of the racket incredibly easily, and if if he’s as hungry as it would appear I think by this time next year it will be a realistic target to see him potentially re-enter the top 100.” Petchey told Sky Sports.
“I think it would take a minimum of a year for Dan to get back there depending on obviously which tournaments he can qualify for and get in. Some of its going to be determined by wild cards and things like that.”
Throughout his career, Evans has been dubbed the ‘bad boy’ of British tennis. Twice during his junior career, he had his funding cut by the British LTA due to his antics. The most noticeable being during the 2008 Wimbledon boys doubles tournament where he lost a match after leaving a nightclub at 3am. He also once missed a British Futures event because ‘he lost track of time’ with his friends.
Despite the controversy, Evans has always been regarded as one of the most talented players in his home country. Illustrated by wins over players such as Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic and Dominic Thiem.
“Dan served his punishment and it’s taken a year out of his prime. He’s probably going to need another year to get back to where he was, probably not even prior to being banned, and for me that’s punishment enough.” Petchey said about Evans’ suspension from the tour.
There is a chance that Evans could return to Grand Slam tennis in July at the Wimbledon Championships. An event he reached the third round of back in 2016. To do so, he would need to rely on the All England Club granting him a wild card.
“We have our wild card meeting on June 19 and, if he applies, he will be considered along with any other wildcard applications,” said chairman Philip Brook.
Evans will re-enter the world rankings next Monday in roughly 1200th place.