Dan Evans face 'long road back' after drug ban, says Leon Smith
Monday 1 January 2018 17:46, UK
Dan Evans faces a "long road back" if he is to return to the top level of professional tennis after his drug ban, according to Great Britain captain Leon Smith.
Evans was handed a one-year suspension in October by the International Tennis Federation following a positive test for cocaine.
The former world No 41 has vowed to rebuild his career after the suspension and Smith has warned the 27-year-old he faces a tough test if he is to return to his best.
"I think it was important that he came out very quickly, put his hands up and admitted that he made a mistake," said Smith.
"Now it will be up to him to work very hard because it will be a long road back.
"He had done remarkably well to get top 50, I think if he had kept playing throughout the year it would not have surprised me if he was sitting with a seeding for the Australian Open.
"He was about 45 in the race with arguably his best season to come, on the grass, hardcourt and indoor.
"It will be a long way back but he has actually done things the hard way before and he's going to have to do it again."
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