Dan Evans

[JAMES4578]

I know sometimes Dan makes tongue and cheek comments but think he's really gone too far this time! Time to concentrate more on his game again and whilst clay challenging fell away in the 2nd today.

[Caro]

I agree he should probably shut up about it now ... but who's to say he's not right? There have been plenty of players who have switched nationality to get better funding etc .... remember when Novak was considering it when he was young? We are assuming Alijaz wants to be British for being Britsh sake but how do we know? ... I'm just playing devil's advocate BTW ;)

[Hawkeye]

So, was he misquoted or only joking?

[Alis]

I am a Dan fan but he's shot himself in the foot with this one. It just makes him look like a prize prune IMO and I don't think that Leon, or Andy, will be the least bit impressed.

[Alis]

So, was he misquoted or only joking?

If he is only joking it's a pretty poor joke.

[Josephine]

"Dan Evans says he still considers himself to be the British number three - despite being overtaken by Aljaz Bedene in the world rankings."

Well at least we know for sure now what his tweet meant - from the horse's mouth.;)

From wikipedia

"Then in 2008, Aljaz made the decision to pursue his tennis career in England because he felt it was stagnating under the artificial limitations he encountered in Slovenia. He ended a seven-year wait to become a British citizen on March 31, 2015, and immediately became British no. 2 behind Andy Murray."

Yes he clearly came here for better training facilities and made the choice after several years to become a British citizen. Many people have lived here and gone through a process and become British - and that is a legal fact. Nothing to do with being PC.

Konta came to be with her boyfriend apparently so I guess according to Dan she isn't British No 1?

Glad that Andy has never gone down this sort of route - only shown total support.

[Alis]

I wonder if Dan would consider Mo Farah to be British? I have to say I'm disappointed in him. I gave him the benefit of the doubt over the first tweet but these things were best left unsaid.

[greatunclebulgaria]

nothing left unsaid here http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39843889 if the BBC are to be believed

must admit he has gone down in my estimation, let the tennis do the talking Dan and there would be no need for jurno's to question are you No4?

[Josephine]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-4485072/Dan-Evans-hits-Aljaz-Bedene-s-British-credentials.html

'The BBC tweet non-stop about how well he's doing but does he know what the Sun newspaper is for example?' posed Evans. 'Would he know why it doesn't get bought in Liverpool? That's British people who know British stuff, that's what a British person is, but that's my opinion.'

Actually I think they found most Britain people would probably struggle with the citizenship test without mugging up beforehand ;)

[Alis]

Oh, Dan, just leave it alone - you're making it worse and worse.

[greatunclebulgaria]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-4485072/Dan-Evans-hits-Aljaz-Bedene-s-British-credentials.html

'The BBC tweet non-stop about how well he's doing but does he know what the Sun newspaper is for example?' posed Evans. 'Would he know why it doesn't get bought in Liverpool? That's British people who know British stuff, that's what a British person is, but that's my opinion

Actually I think they found most Britain people would probably struggle with the citizenship test without mugging up beforehand ;)

I was born and brought up in the north of England and watched the Hillsborough disaster unfold before my very eyes on TV but until the latest inquest/inquiry I was not aware of the lies and twisted evidence that was put before the British people, so no, I as a born and bred Brit couldn't have told you why the Sun wasn't bought in Liverpool, mind I wasn't aware this was the case

[Bardot]

You wouldn't want Dan setting the British Citizenship test or nobody would be allowed in. :rolleyes:

I wonder how he would get on with answering questions like:


Which group of refugees settled in England before 1720?

Welsh
Germans
Bretons
Huguenots

[suttontennis]

you can cross the shovel off Dan's Christmas present list, he couldn't have dug himself in deeper if he tried. He must be really proud to think of himself as British no.3, I hope that is what motivates him when he's practising. 'Alijaz is non-confrontational' ? is Dan looking for a fight ?, Would Dan be saying these things to some-one the size of Del Potro, who could probably knock his head off. He's an embarrassment.

[themass15]

It shows he still has a lot of 'growing up' to do.

[sir coolerking]

Konta came to be with her boyfriend apparently so I guess according to Dan she isn't British No 1?



But she was only 14 when she moved here?!

[Josephine]

Well you can have a boyfriend at 14. It's what people say - I've no idea if it is true. The reason for coming to UK doesn't matter. What I mean is if Dan doesn't consider Bedene British, then the same applies to Konta.

[Hawkeye]

Konta never represented another country though.

[sir coolerking]

Well you can have a boyfriend at 14. It's what people say - I've no idea if it is true. The reason for coming to UK doesn't matter. What I mean is if Dan doesn't consider Bedene British, then the same applies to Konta.

My eldest is about to turn 14, if she had a boyfriend I doubt I'd let her move to the other side of the world to be with him!!

I thought Konta moved here because she went to an academy in Spain and her parents moved to the UK to be closer.

Anyway, I think Evans is being an idiot which doesn't surprise me.

[themass15]

I go back to the tournament in Surbiton last year where I saw him play. His behaviour was appalling. I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt but clearly in some areas he hasn't improved at all.

[Reef]

No wonder Andy doesn't take Dan to Miami to train, as he does Kyle...I'm sure he knows he'd be wasting his time.
Maybe one day Dan might realise the error of his ways...thought I doubt it.

[clancy]

Dan has let himself and his fans down badly with this show of jealousy to Bedene. Not a favourite of mine and probably never will be now.

[Teresa]

Dan has behaved like a prat, but people seem tolerant of other players who have behaved even worse - A certain female player, has her defenders for example as has MTO/double bounce Djokovic. Going back Nastase and McEnroe

He is still non the less the guy that always rallies to the cause of DC for example. One episode of supreme dingbatness wont turn me off him.

I suspect this behaviour is born out of frustration. I am frequently told not to be too harsh, perhaps now is the time to take your own advice.

I don't condone his behaviour one whit, but I think there are other, far worse offenders out there.

[Caro]

Dan has behaved like a prat, but people seem tolerant of other players who have behaved even worse - A certain female player, has her defenders for example as has MTO/double bounce Djokovic. Going back Nastase and McEnroe

He is still non the less the guy that always rallies to the cause of DC for example. One episode of supreme dingbatness wont turn me off him.

I suspect this behaviour is born out of frustration. I am frequently told not to be too harsh, perhaps now is the time to take your own advice.

I don't condone his behaviour one whit, but I think there are other, far worse offenders out there.

Completely agree Teresa. OK, I know I'm biased towards Dan, and I wanted to believe he didn't mean anything by what he said but he hasn't let it go .... If that's what he believes, that's what he believes. I'm not going to stop supporting him because of it that's for sure. I don't agree with it but he speaks his mind which is kind of refreshing when you get the same old stuff churned out in interviews with so many players. He is new to the big time and he'll learn.

[patlowe]

I share your views Teresa and Caro. Was trying to find a way to express my thoughts about Dan, but you have done it perfectly Teresa! Like you Caro, I wanted to believe it was a misunderstanding and I certainly won't stop supporting him either. All Dan needs to do now is win more matches and points and become #3 in his own right, or even #2, and there will be no argument!

[Alis]

Sorry, I have always been a Dan supporter but he has shown himself in his true colours over this and it has been a total turn off for me. There was no need for it - unless, of course, he's courting media attention at any cost. He's certainly achieved that and he's a prize prat in my book - what an idiot!

[Alis]

Konta never represented another country though.

I believe she played for Australia as a junior - maybe that doesn't count. Wasn't Laura Robson also born in Australia and I think Kyle was born in South Africa wasn't he? Maybe we should disregard them all.;)

[angiebabez]

Dan should let his tennis do the talking if hes so ****** off about all this & desperate to be no 3. Easy solution... win more matches!!!

[Bardot]

I believe she played for Australia as a junior - maybe that doesn't count. Wasn't Laura Robson also born in Australia and I think Kyle was born in South Africa wasn't he? Maybe we should disregard them all.;)
And like Aljaz, Andy doesn't have an "English accent" so by default, Dan is the true GB #1. :GBflag: :p

[Teresa]

And like Aljaz, Andy doesn't have an "English accent" so by default, Dan is the true GB #1. :GBflag: :p


I know, but his Scottish accent is ever so cute.............

[Alis]

And like Aljaz, Andy doesn't have an "English accent" so by default, Dan is the true GB #1. :GBflag: :p

Sorry - did I miss Indyref2 when I was sleeping? :laugh:

[Josephine]

I think Dan seems to expect things to happen for him instead of work for them.

It's not an easy thing to leave your country and settle somewhere else. I admire Bedene for doing that.

I've never cared much for Dan and even less now. Speaking your mind can reveal an ugly side - as Nastase did too.

[banskogirl]

You wouldn't want Dan setting the British Citizenship test or nobody would be allowed in. :rolleyes:

I wonder how he would get on with answering questions like:

I haven't peeked at the answer but hubby says Germans? Also I knew about the Sun. Do we pass?

[Rosalind]

At least it makes it easier to pick who to support should the two of them play. I don't suppose for one second Dan could pass the citizen test. I actually don't think he's the brightest spark. Yes, as others have said - he should shut up and try to improve his tennis.

[jagmad]

I haven't peeked at the answer but hubby says Germans? Also I knew about the Sun. Do we pass?

I thought if you owned more than one Back the Brits Tee's it was an auto in.
;)

[Caro]

Amazing how quick people are to jump on the bandwagon and turn against someone .... :rolleyes: Well not me.

I remember when Greg first became a British citizen and some of his peers thought the very same as Dan is expressing now.

I want to say so much more but I will end up falling out with people who are going into full insult mode ... :angry:

[AllyB]

Given that changing nationality is commonplace nowadays, Dan has been incredibly naive with his comments.

Fwiw, I think he's got a point. Regardless of acquiring citizenship or residency I think sportspeople should only be allowed to represent their country of birth or that of their parents.

That ship has sailed now though and too.many precedents have been set.

[Hawkeye]

It's not what he said, it's the way he said it.

[banskogirl]

Amazing how quick people are to jump on the bandwagon and turn against someone .... :rolleyes: Well not me.

I remember when Greg first became a British citizen and some of his peers thought the very same as Dan is expressing now.

I want to say so much more but I will end up falling out with people who are going into full insult mode ... :angry:

Well I'll still be cheering for him :thumbup:

[Alis]

Well I'll still be cheering for him :thumbup:

Of course, I'll still cheer for him - he's a Brit - but I'm disappointed in him. I agree that it was incredibly naive but it was also totally unnecessary. From all I hear and see, Aljaz in a genuinely nice guy - what did Dan hope to gain? He has done himself absolutely no favours and, instead of stopping digging when he was in a hole, he has dug the hole deeper and deeper. The press just loves to pick up on things like this and run with it. I also agree that the whole question of nationality in sport is a nonsense. Every sport seems to have different rules and even within a single sport it seems there are no clear guidelines.

[jagmad]

Of course, I'll still cheer for him - he's a Brit - but I'm disappointed in him. I agree that it was incredibly naive but it was also totally unnecessary. From all I hear and see, Aljaz in a genuinely nice guy - what did Dan hope to gain? He has done himself absolutely no favours and, instead of stopping digging when he was in a hole, he has dug the hole deeper and deeper. The press just loves to pick up on things like this and run with it. I also agree that the whole question of nationality in sport is a nonsense. Every sport seems to have different rules and even within a single sport it seems there are no clear guidelines.

Eh Hemm (Clears throat)

Ask not what your country can do for you,
but, what you can do for your country,
which ever one you pick.

And if you can do enough to further our cause here's your citizenship,
come, feather your nest in our back yard. Look how our font over-flow-eth.
;)
:peace:
:getcoat:

[Bardot]

I haven't peeked at the answer but hubby says Germans? Also I knew about the Sun. Do we pass?

Only if you have a Brummie accent. :p ;)

[Caro]

Only if you have a Brummie accent. :p ;)

No Brummie bashing please ;)

[banskogirl]

Yes, I regret even asking! Will Google the answer myself :)
I was joking!

[pabbers]

Can the mods just remind everyone that, tempting though it is at the moment with all that's going on, politics is not up for discussion on the forum. :thanks:

[Teresa]

@ Pabbers - this must be a first - moi not being one of the guilty parties here....!!!

[Alis]

No Brummie bashing please ;)

I don't know that Silhillians (natives of Solihull) will thank you for calling Dan a Brummie!

[roytennisfan]

I don't know that Silhillians (natives of Solihull) will thank you for calling Dan a Brummie!

LOL.........you should just call him a Villain instead, don't think Dan would be too impressed if you call him a Brummie (rival team!)

[Alis]

LOL.........you should just call him a Villain instead, don't think Dan would be too impressed if you call him a Brummie (rival team!)

:laugh: Definitely not a Brummie then!! ;)

[Bardot]

Dan & Kyle didn't make the cut to play doubles in Rome. I think they're 3rd alternates.

[pabbers]

Think Dan's becoming a bit like Marmite! :lol:

[lynne]

Dan's match is just starting on Bet365, so I would think they are live streams also, for those who don't have TennisTV.:wave:

[exislander]

Watching on tennistv

[exislander]

Dan complaining about the towels and loses first service game.

[lynne]

Dan loses the first set to Vesely 3-6

[lynne]

Dan loses to Vesely 3-6, 1-6

[Jane]

:crying: :crying:

[Caro]

I don't know that Silhillians (natives of Solihull) will thank you for calling Dan a Brummie!


LOL.........you should just call him a Villain instead, don't think Dan would be too impressed if you call him a Brummie (rival team!)

Well, just to play devil's advocate, he is actually from Hall Green which is Birmingham not Solihull ... he's just trying to be posh saying he's from Solihull ;)


Think Dan's becoming a bit like Marmite! :lol:

.... and I have always loved marmite :laugh:

[Alis]

I did know that he came from Hall Green originally, Caro, but that's as near as dammit in Solihull and I think Dan professes to be from Solihull even though he's technically a Brummie!

[Linda]

I think it's all a matter of perspective. When I lived in Ruislip, a colleague from High Wycombe insisted that I lived in London, but I insisted that I didn't. But now that I live on the South Coast, I say that I used to live in London! I think we've had this discussion before re Supergran and Liverpool . . .

[Stell]

A bit of a toughie for Dan, as he plays Robredo in the first round at the French Open.

[Jane]

Dan and Robredo are third on ct.2 today. Best of luck, Dan :thumbup: :thumbup:

[Jane]

Players warming up

[Pam]

Dan breaks in the first game! 1-0

[lovetennis]

Dan consolidates the break 2-0. Looks to be striking the ball well

[Pam]

Tommy breaks back 2-2

[david1610]

3-3 Important hold that! Anybody thinking four hours here? ;)

[scrapaddict]

Not very exciting so far but Dan just needs to keep his serve going and wait for his chances

[scrapaddict]

got the break - c'mon Dan

[Pam]

Dan breaks and will serve for the first set! 6-5

[Jane]

First set to Dan - well done :yahoo: :yahoo:

[scrapaddict]

takes the frist set 7-5

[Pam]

Yay!!

[Jane]

Dan off the court to try and cool down. Seems he is struggling healthwise

[lovetennis]

Dan doing well despite struggling in the heat, up a break now in the 2nd set, 2-0

[Pam]

2-2 second set

[Pam]

4-4

[Jane]

One set all

Come on Dan

[Pam]

Oh dear Dan really struggling now 0-2

[Pam]

Dan recovers somewhat to break 2-3

[lovetennis]

Dan breaks back. Let's hope the cloud cover helps him cool off a bit. Thought Pascal was really mean to give him a time violation. Rafa wouldn't have got one

[Pam]

That was short lived Dan broken again 4-2

[lovetennis]

Not looking good for Dan now, down 0-2 in the 4th set.

[Jane]

:crying: :crying: :crying: Robredo wins, but the conditions were a bit too hot for Dan

[david1610]

Never mind Dan, that is the end of "that stuff" for about nine months! ;)

[roytennisfan]

Dan had everything against him today, the heat was terrible and playing at the worst time against opposition more used to the heat (and 5-set comebacks at RG), think even if Dan had managed to win the second set he would still have lost in 5 to that opponent and his current ranking doesn't mean much. Tough Dan, be nice if you could get a wc for next week and play on grass before Nottingham and Queens

[Bardot]

Not quite the end of the clay for Dan as he and Kyle are in the doubles and play Begemann/Oswald in the first round.

[Teresa]

Shame, but he was obviously struggling with the conditions. He put in a good effort, and I quite like Robredo. That one fingered gesture and language after Murray beat him in that epic match in 2014 still makes me smile.

[Jan]

A real struggle for Dan today. Felt for him.

[themass15]

Dan had everything against him today, the heat was terrible and playing at the worst time against opposition more used to the heat (and 5-set comebacks at RG), think even if Dan had managed to win the second set he would still have lost in 5 to that opponent and his current ranking doesn't mean much. Tough Dan, be nice if you could get a wc for next week and play on grass before Nottingham and Queens

After last year I doubt whether he'll play at Surbiton again!!!!

[roytennisfan]

After last year I doubt whether he'll play at Surbiton again!!!!

Well he definitely won't be playing Manchester....we lost our men's Challenger this year...boo

[supergran]

Such a shame but onwards and hopefully upwards.

[Linda]

The result is what I expected. Robredo is a tough cookie, and it's not Dan's best surface. Hopefully he will do better on the grass.

[themass15]

According to the LTA website there is a Manchester Trophy tournament from the 11th to the 17th June.

[roytennisfan]

According to the LTA website there is a Manchester Trophy tournament from the 11th to the 17th June.

Just for Ladies this year though, Men's at Nottingham then

[Stell]

Knowing his form on clay, I knew he wasn't going to win it. But, he did quite good taking the first set off of Robredo.

[Helen40]

Knowing his form on clay, I knew he wasn't going to win it. But, he did quite good taking the first set off of Robredo.
Really, he's improved loads on clay this year. You could even see his improvement during the DC weekend. I thought he lost on conditioning because of the heat. I think if it had been last years's conditions he'd have been odds on. Now he knows he's got to do more heat work for the American swing.

[Jan]

Apparently he had to leave the court after the first set and was sick. He'd eaten too close to the match, as the match before finished unexpectedly early.

[roytennisfan]

Dan and Kyle withdraw from the doubles

[Caro]

After last year I doubt whether he'll play at Surbiton again!!!! What happened at surbiton?

[themass15]

He was using bad language and had a game defaulted. He didn't seem to be trying

[david1610]

Four British players in the top 55 of the singles race!

[themass15]

I was wrong, Dan is playing Surbiton

[Jane]

Dan due to play James Ward at Surbiton tomorrow at 1.30pm

[themass15]

Could be later if the first two women's matches aren't finished. Play starts on all courts at 11 a.m.

[roytennisfan]

Dan about to start now on livestream

[roytennisfan]

1-1 on surbiton court2 stream

[themass15]

Following scores on ATP website. Heather also playing at present - a break up in the third.

[roytennisfan]

Dan 2-3 raining again

[Jane]

Dan, playing Dustin Brown, leads 5 - 2 in the first set

[Jane]

Dan wins the first set 6 - 3 :dance: :dance:

[roytennisfan]

4-2 up in second

[Jane]

Dan was leading 4 - 2 in the second set, but has had to retire injured :crying: I hope he will make a quick recovery

[roytennisfan]

Must be a doubt for Nottingham

[Jan]

NO NO :crying:

[Jane]

I took my eye off the screen for a few minutes and did not see what actually happened, but he was limping quite badly when he left the court

[Jan]

Just watched the incident on https://livestream.com/ATP
Looks fairly innocuous - Dan seemed to jar his foot when running along the baseline - but obviously more serious, sadly.

[roytennisfan]

Said it's a calf injury and it's bandaged up

[roytennisfan]

Quote from the man.... Dan Evans, said he "heard and felt something go". Will know more after scan on Monday. Terrible timing for Dan

[themass15]

I was there. It wasn't obviously anything happening and then he was hobbling. I wondered if he might have done his hamstring.

[themass15]

Dan has been replaced in the Nottingham draw by a lucky loser. Hope he has recovered to play at Queens next week.

[Jane]

I read on the BBC text that he was due to have a scan today

[themass15]

Yes I saw that. I wonder when more news will come out.

[lynne]

Dan Evans pulls out of Aegon Open, Nottingham and leaves Queen's ........... Eurosport ...... http://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/dan-evans-pulls-out-of-aegon-open-to-leave-queen-s-participation-in-doubt_sto6212807/story.shtml

[roytennisfan]

"This is my favourite time of the year so I'm getting treatment and will do everything to be ready for Queen's next week. Thanks for all the messages of support, it really means a lot."


From LTA website

[Bardot]

Dan officially out of Eastbourne.

[lovetennis]

Dan has called a press conference and deactivated his social media accounts....what is going on?

[Bardot]

Welp!


Stuart Fraser @stu_fraser
BREAKING: Dan Evans announces he has failed a drug test in April for cocaine

[lovetennis]

Oh no, tennis journalists tweeting that Dan tested positive for cocaine :shocked::banghead:

[hfwardhouse]

Oh Evo... Silly silly boy :angry:

[lovetennis]

Always a maverick but when he had made such improvements and knuckled down to make the best of his talents, this is a silly thing to have done.

Edit: actually taking coke is always going to be a silly thing to do, but you probably know what I mean. To waste his talent by doing drugs

[pabbers]

:crying: Really thought he was growing up.

[Bardot]

That's ok then Dan. :facepalm:

Tom Allnutt‏ @tomallnuttPA 5m5 minutes ago
Evans: "It's really important you know this was taken out of competition and the context was completely unrelated to tennis...

[exislander]

Oh Dan, you idiot!

[Hawkeye]

:crying: Really thought he was growing up.Based on what evidence? This doesn't come as a surprise to me at all.

[Josephine]

Well that will be a ban I suppose.

Sure it was taken out of competition but he must have known he was jeapordising his career.

[lovetennis]

That's ok then Dan. :facepalm:

Although at least he hasn't blamed it on snogging someone in a nightclub. Bet Mark Hilton is livid with him

[RosieBear]

John Lloyd looks close to tears with disappointment. I feel the same.

[Jane]

:crying: :crying: Oh Dan!!!

[Bardot]

Dan's brief statement.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDBRCrnXgAAwYHY.jpg

[Alis]

:crying::crying: Oh Dan - what an idiot! Why on earth would you do that?

[JerryD]

Oh dan! What a waste! Stupid thing to do, in general but especially when it puts your career at risk! Oh dear! Any ideas how long the ban might be? I wonder if it depends on how much he has in his system.

[karanga]

:shocked: :sad:

[Teresa]

Pillock. Can't justify this. I have no truck with drug taking. He had plenty of years at the end of his career to pee around with drugs. What a waste:-(

[JAMES4578]

Rusedski on Eurosport suggested an could be anything from 6 months-2 years.

[Elizabeth]

I feel like crying for Dan I am so disappointed for him.

[lovetennis]

or in him?

[Bardot]

Julian Hoferlin who Dan clearly respected and was heartbroken when he died said this of Dan in 2014.

‘He has the potential to make himself a top-60 player, but he makes no sacrifices for his sport. He doesn’t understand that tennis has to be his priority. For him, it’s just a brief interlude in his life.’

[Josephine]

Well I hope Bedene finally gets that daft decision overturned so he can get in the DC team as he will be needed.

No real sympathy for Dan - he must have known he would test positive - unless he tried it before out of competition and got away with it of course.... Why suddenly take such a risk when his career was going so much better?

[clancy]

He has let down so many - Leon, Andy, coach, sponsor, family, fans, etc - all of whom have in varying degrees tried to keep him focused - and most of all himself - damn fool!

[Linda]

I had thought that he had become more responsible, but it seems not. Stupid, stupid, stupid. :sad:

[Yellowlivi]

Oh Dan what did you do that for you idiot. He has wasted so many years not working hard enough and just when he starting to live up to his potential he goes and throws it away on something so stupid. I don't have sympathy for him either really, it's such a stupid thing to have done and it's with him forever now.

[goldfish]

Apart from being completely disappointed in Dan's behaviour, I'm really sad that we won't get to see him play for a long time. So frustrated :facepalm:

[Bardot]

Neil "Partridge" Harman making it about himself as he does every tweet. :big grin:


Neil Harman‏ @Neil_Harman57
We all make mistakes. We learn. We grow. We return. Fraternal good wishes to Dan Evans.

[Stell]

Just read about Dan taking cocaine. What an idiot.

[Bardot]

ITF Statement.

http://i63.tinypic.com/2h89xxl.png

[HoopGirl]

Dear me - what an utter waste of such talent.
Really disappointed in him.
He's had opportunities and the talent so many could just dream of and has just frittered them away!

[lovetennis]

Ellesse will be fuming, after they gave him sponsorship earlier this year. Presumably sponsorship clauses give the option to drop the player if they do something disreputable, so not only has he ruined his playing career but his wallet will suffer too. Silly, silly Dan

[RosieBear]

A lot of bafflement as to why he would do this, but obviously a lot of people do the dumbest things when they're half-cut (which I'll bet was the context). Dan's going to pay a huge price for what I imagine was a moment of madness. But you do the crime, you do the time.

[david1610]

Stupid. But I hope it is a six month ban and nothing more. As someone said, I can imagine him doing this probably when drunk. Yes he has let a lot of people down. And yes it is on the list of banned substances.

However, I realize I may be very much in the minority here but we live in a society that has rules and punishments for recreational drug taking, which are always a source of debate. Sport rightly tries to check for inappropriate use of drug taking for enhancing performance.

Is it right that a sport can produce bans for drugs taken for social recreational purposes?

[Sallydaisy]

:sad:

[Josephine]

You can be sacked from your job if you are found to be taking cocaine. (And I am sure plenty people do and are securely employed, but it is still against the law). I don't know the ins and outs of reasons for banning 'recreational' drugs. I suppose that if it gives you a buzz (i.e if you look above it does say WADA Prohibited List (stimulants)), then it could give you energy during a match. So you can't be allowed to get away with saying it was recreational.

Just speculating.

[RosieBear]

Stupid. But I hope it is a six month ban and nothing more. As someone said, I can imagine him doing this probably when drunk. Yes he has let a lot of people down. And yes it is on the list of banned substances.

However, I realize I may be very much in the minority here but we live in a society that has rules and punishments for recreational drug taking, which are always a source of debate. Sport rightly tries to check for inappropriate use of drug taking for enhancing performance.

Is it right that a sport can produce bans for drugs taken for social recreational purposes?

Interesting points, David. But how do we draw a clear line between the two? Cocaine might have been taken in a recreational context that that doesn't mean that it doesn't also have performance enhancing properties. Just because those properties aren't the (primary) reason for taking a drug they still exist. The lines are also blurred between social and tennis prohibition in other ways too, namely bringing the sport into disrepute since cocaine is criminalised as a class A drug. A lot of people will think Dan has moral questions to answer insofar as he is a relatively wealthy sportsman who has taken, and therefore contributed to the ongoing trade of, a drug that absolutely devastates societies in Latin America. So, in my view, for several reasons, I just don't think a clear demarcation between 'recreational' and 'PE' drugs can be made.

[Caro]

Well I'm gutted ... my Brummie boy :crying::crying::crying:I will so miss watching him play. He has been such an eejit ... of course he would know if he was caught he would be banned. I don't believe he thought about it, spur of the moment, partying ....
I don't believe cocaine would be performance enhancing for tennis and that has nothing to do with why he took it. "No Evo, no party" ... he reminds me so much of me in my 20s, just thinking of the here and now, the moment ... but I wasn't a professional tennis player and he is. He has so much talent but He is who he is ....

[patlowe]

I am so sad and yes, heart-broken for Dan. His statement made me cry and I feel so for him on the grounds that this was within his own control....he and he alone could have prevented it....so I guess he is now filled with remorse as it is completely his own fault. I feel for him going through that torture. He won't need reminding how silly he was and I will really miss watching him play. I certainly don't like or condone what he has done, but I will always have a soft spot for Dan. I wonder now will he ever get back to the level he had achieved this year? That too makes me sad. Such a waste of great talent!

[david1610]

Interesting points, David. But how do we draw a clear line between the two? Cocaine might have been taken in a recreational context that that doesn't mean that it doesn't also have performance enhancing properties. Just because those properties aren't the (primary) reason for taking a drug they still exist. The lines are also blurred between social and tennis prohibition in other ways too, namely bringing the sport into disrepute since cocaine is criminalised as a class A drug. A lot of people will think Dan has moral questions to answer insofar as he is a relatively wealthy sportsman who has taken, and therefore contributed to the ongoing trade of, a drug that absolutely devastates societies in Latin America. So, in my view, for several reasons, I just don't think a clear demarcation between 'recreational' and 'PE' drugs can be made.
There are practical problems separating recreational and performance use of a drug I agree. Imagine if there weren't. Would sporting bodies still be right to punish recreational drug use when most societies have legislation dealing with that - with the important principle of equal treatment for all under that law - that is really the point I am trying to make. I am not arguing in favour or against this but pointing out society already deals with this issue.

[RosieBear]

There are practical problems separating recreational and performance use of a drug I agree. Imagine if there weren't. Would sporting bodies still be right to punish recreational drug use when most societies have legislation dealing with that - with the important principle of equal treatment for all under that law - that is really the point I am trying to make. I am not arguing in favour or against this but pointing out society already deals with this issue.

Yes, I understood your point :thumbup: my point in reply was, that even if we could set practical problems of separation aside, there would still be an overlap because the blurring between social legislation and tennis legislation runs deeper. Players get penalised for audible obscenity not because of any influence on their play but because society says it's unacceptable. Players get penalised for racket violations not because of any influence on play but because society says it's unacceptable. I think it is simply impossible to separate tennis rules and social norms/legislation; it's not just a matter of practicality.

[HoopGirl]

Bringing a profession into disrepute is important in many professional groups - nursing being one of them.
As a nurse I know that nurses who have offences from driving to drug taking and beyond, face suspension from the nursing register or worse - being struck off. There are all sorts of stories about nurses who haven't stopped at car accidents and have been struck off - even if it wasnt their field of nursing - nursing is vast - and many nurses havent got those skills and it's better that someone with a first aid qualification helps.

For me I think he has brought tennis into disrepute, and British tennis in particular.
He raises big questions about his credibility and his game - can you believe what he says? Even if cocaine isn't recognised as performance enhancing there will be a doubt.
It's a much worse crime than Sharapovas in my opinion. She was careless. It had been legal and then wasn't.
He shows a massive error of judgement and who knows - he may have done it before!

I bet Andy is steaming!

[Alis]

I agree with your post, Hoopgirl, apart from the bit about Sharapova - they are equally culpable in my view. Yes, and I am sure Andy is singularly unimpressed!

[david1610]

Yes, I understood your point :thumbup: my point in reply was, that even if we could set practical problems of separation aside, there would still be an overlap because the blurring between social legislation and tennis legislation runs deeper. Players get penalised for audible obscenity not because of any influence on their play but because society says it's unacceptable. Players get penalised for racket violations not because of any influence on play but because society says it's unacceptable. I think it is simply impossible to separate tennis rules and social norms/legislation; it's not just a matter of practicality.
That is a good answer Rosie in terms of the blurring of social and tennis legislation but the banning of performance enhancing drugs is pharmacologically rather than socially based, as far as I am aware.

If a player takes recreational drugs I think they should be able to have a way of reporting this privately to the tennis authorities. There could be a "second chance" policy. I think one of the characteristics of a good society is a second chance. We all make mistakes.
And there is certainly a difference between a one-off idiotic mistake and a systematic drug cheat.

[RosieBear]

That is a good answer Rosie in terms of the blurring of social and tennis legislation but the banning of performance enhancing drugs is pharmacologically rather than socially based, as far as I am aware.

If a player takes recreational drugs I think they should be able to have a way of reporting this privately to the tennis authorities. There could be a "second chance" policy. I think one of the characteristics of a good society is a second chance. We all make mistakes.
And there is certainly a difference between a one-off idiotic mistake and a systematic drug cheat.

I agree with what you've said, David.:thumbup:
Though I do still think that Dan's particular drug of choice is wrong on several levels that should be taken into account. Bravo Dan, if you're going to do wrong, get it really wrong.:facepalm:

[Pam]

SO sad :sad: That's all I've got to say.

[Keeptheheid]

Sad to read this about Dan, so much talent, all the support time and effort put in to help him get up the rankings. Now I'm sure he is full of remorse and regret but must have known the consequences. But as it says in song �� Don't it always seems to go you don't know what you've got till it's gone.��

[Rosalind]

Thrown his career away but more unforgivable imo has let down Leon and the DC team. And the fans. I had sort of given up on him after his weird comments on Bedene but enjoyed his playing. Don't imagine we'll be seeing him much for a while at least.

[Teresa]

Bringing a profession into disrepute is important in many professional groups - nursing being one of them.
As a nurse I know that nurses who have offences from driving to drug taking and beyond, face suspension from the nursing register or worse - being struck off. There are all sorts of stories about nurses who haven't stopped at car accidents and have been struck off - even if it wasnt their field of nursing - nursing is vast - and many nurses havent got those skills and it's better that someone with a first aid qualification helps.

For me I think he has brought tennis into disrepute, and British tennis in particular.
He raises big questions about his credibility and his game - can you believe what he says? Even if cocaine isn't recognised as performance enhancing there will be a doubt.
It's a much worse crime than Sharapovas in my opinion. She was careless. It had been legal and then wasn't.
He shows a massive error of judgement and who knows - he may have done it before!

I bet Andy is steaming!


I agree with you about 99%, but there is a tiny part of me that thinks that this wasn't done out of malice. It was Dan continuing the path of his career (which I suspect is now over - if he gets a two year ban, I can't see him coming back from it), which has been to prat about and waste a good part of his talent on trivialities and idleness.

I see Sharapova as the more guilty, even if technically she is less. I think she knew exactly what she was doing and was incredibly manipulative about it. Dan has just behaved like a complete wazzak. Any ban he gets however is completely deserved.

Either way there are going to be knock on consequences. Unless AM plays in the first DC tie, I can't see us staying in the World Group. Who would be second man without Dan.

As fans we deserved better than this from him.

[Josephine]

That is a good answer Rosie in terms of the blurring of social and tennis legislation but the banning of performance enhancing drugs is pharmacologically rather than socially based, as far as I am aware.

If a player takes recreational drugs I think they should be able to have a way of reporting this privately to the tennis authorities. There could be a "second chance" policy. I think one of the characteristics of a good society is a second chance. We all make mistakes.
And there is certainly a difference between a one-off idiotic mistake and a systematic drug cheat.

We don't know if this was a one off mistake or not. If you worked for a company that had drug testing and you were aware of the rules, you would be sacked if you tested positive for cocaine. And they wouldn't let you come back after 6 months or a year.

Dan will get a second chance and if it is too late for his career that is his own fault. Hopefully this has been humbling for him. Maybe he could use his time off to work to help less fortunate people or refugees. Then he might have a slightly broader outlook as well.

[-J-]

ITF Statement.

http://i63.tinypic.com/2h89xxl.pngso not out of competition then, hope he gets the full four years and yes would say the same if it was andy

[Reef]

Sadly the "bad boy" tag has followed Dan for over 10 years now. You would hope at the age of 27 he might have grown up. What a waste...

[themass15]

I couldn't get to sleep last night thinking about the affect it would have on Leon Smith and the rest of the DC team. Wonder if he will go completely off the rails now.

[Stell]

Radio five live had to get the opinions of Russell Fuller, Sue Barker, John Lloyd and Peter Fleming. Only John Lloyd claimed that it was a waste and Dan's career is now finished, which is strange as no sentence has been passed on Dan. When Sharapova failed a drugs test, all she basically got was a slapped wrist. Somehow, I think they will make an example of Dan of what can happen to you, if you do take drugs (even though he claimed he took out of competition).

[-J-]

Here's the reason for Dan's absence. :facepalm:

Dan Evans ‏@Evo151216 6m6 minutes ago
I had to pull out of Paris qs as my racquet bag never made it to Paris from Birmingham so basically I had a day trip to Parismakes you think

[Linda]

That was on the Monday, the first day of the tournament, when he struggled to beat a qualifier. He'd probably been partying all weekend. Idiot.

[Teresa]

Radio five live had to get the opinions of Russell Fuller, Sue Barker, John Lloyd and Peter Fleming. Only John Lloyd claimed that it was a waste and Dan's career is now finished, which is strange as no sentence has been passed on Dan. When Sharapova failed a drugs test, all she basically got was a slapped wrist. Somehow, I think they will make an example of Dan of what can happen to you, if you do take drugs (even though he claimed he took out of competition).

I think that's what riles me the most. Sharapova was taking a PED for years. Whilst legally she was in the clear , morally she was completely in the wrong, and she is still playing the professional victim now.

Equally there is one guaranteed way of avoiding getting caught for drug taking..........

[Monica]

I think that's what riles me the most. Sharapova was taking a PED for years. Whilst legally she was in the clear , morally she was completely in the wrong, and she is still playing the professional victim now.

Equally there is one guaranteed way of avoiding getting caught for drug taking..........

we will never know, but does anyone wonder whether Andy knew about this on Tuesday?

[RosieBear]

I simply cannot believe what I'm reading about Maria S being more 'morally culpable' than Dan. For every gram of coke snorted in Britain at least one Colombian dies. Read the (paraphrased) extract below taken from a peer reviewed journal then please feel free to post details about the horrors of the 'Meldonium Trade'.

Cocaine Is Evil: The gruesomeness of the drug trade rivals any atrocities in history.

No one has perfect numbers on the death toll of a given drug trade, but let's try a back-of-the-envelope calculation. Around 60,000 were executed as witches during 150 years at the height of the Spanish Inquisition. Mexico alone has seen twice that many deaths during its seven-year drug war. From 1990 to 2010, Colombia had some 450,000 homicides, overwhelmingly due to coke. Add all the rest in Latin America and track that carnage back to the 1960s when the modern drug war began. The number starts to be in the league of the atrocities of Nazi Germany or American slavery. The magnitude and gruesomeness of crimes committed to acquire and maintain drug trade are comparable to these past atrocities. Decapitations and burning people alive are just the start. Chainsaws, belt sanders, acid—these things are used very creatively by cartel torturers. They disembowel bloggers and sew faces to soccer balls. Children are forced to work as assassins, people are forced to rape strangers at gunpoint, and lines of victims are killed one at a time with a single hammer. Many of those people disappear into unmarked graves. If their bodies are ever found, they are described in the media with antiseptic words like “mutilated". So yes, I argue that paying for coke is equivalent to donating to the Nazi party.

[Teresa]

@ RosieBear - I am not condoning recreational drug taking in any shape or form. My comment was more related to in terms of the impact on sport specifically tennis. Essentially I thought Sharapova got away with it. I was looking at the situation within a specific context - that of cheating within sport.

Dan deserves everything he gets. In my opinion the LTA should not be supporting him, and if he does return, which I doubt I will be as outspoken about any wild cards as I was/am with Sharapova. As an example for up and coming players he is appalling.

My feeling that the ITF and other bodies are not taking drug abuse seriously is one of the main reasons I am turning away from tennis. The excuses they have accepted to reduce bans in recent cases make them a laughing stock in my opinion. Note that's an opinion not a fact.

[LC the fan]

Feeling so sad for Dan - what a silly boy! But then he has never had the dedication to his sport that takes you to the top.
It has to be unquestioned life comittment - as shown by our own hero Andy.

But he is such a nice person - we saw him play in Sydney this year, really appreciating the support he was getting from the Brits in the crowd, thanking us after the match against Granollers and playing so well.

Recreational ? maybe! But he had a responsibility to the kids who have been watching, and contemplating taking up tennis. He earned 170000 in Sydney - it comes with responsibility.

But I still have tears for a talent so wasted. Stupid and reckless. Nick Kygrios take note

[LC the fan]

@ RosieBear - I am not condoning recreational drug taking in any shape or form. My comment was more related to in terms of the impact on sport specifically tennis. Essentially I thought Sharapova got away with it. I was looking at the situation within a specific context - that of cheating within sport.

Dan deserves everything he gets. In my opinion the LTA should not be supporting him, and if he does return, which I doubt I will be as outspoken about any wild cards as I was/am with Sharapova. As an example for up and coming players he is appalling.

My feeling that the ITF and other bodies are not taking drug abuse seriously is one of the main reasons I am turning away from tennis. The excuses they have accepted to reduce bans in recent cases make them a laughing stock in my opinion. Note that's an opinion not a fact.

TRUE what you are saying....but dont confine it to tennis. Athletics dont do too well, nor does cycling but, closer to home, what about football. The antics that soccer players get up to with so little redress sickens me

[Teresa]

Recreational ? maybe! But he had a responsibility to the kids who have been watching, and contemplating taking up tennis. He earned 170000 in Sydney - it comes with responsibility.

But I still have tears for a talent so wasted. Stupid and reckless. Nick Kygrios take note

Exactly.

I agree all sports are implicated. Non of them seem to take it seriously. Personally I don't think if you have been caught you should be allowed to compete again.

I think sports ceased to be sporting a long time ago. It's driven by money, not sportsmanship these days.

[-J-]

TRUE what you are saying....but dont confine it to tennis. Athletics dont do too well, nor does cycling but, closer to home, what about football. The antics that soccer players get up to with so little redress sickens mecouldnt be more wrong IMO, athletics has had bad press for years because they have at least tried to clean up there sport and havnt shirked away from the responcabillity. just look at the proposal to wipe all previous records pre 2005. will not hold my breath waiting for tennis wiping johny mac or agassi from the record books. tennis is right up there with the likes of weightlifting with head in the sand tactics

[Josephine]

What should they be doing that they are not? They have far stricter and more frequent drug testing now.

[Passionanda]

Not so interested in this debate.....just full of sadness on hearing Dan's statement yesterday and very concerned about his overall well-being. He has always been a flawed individual (aren't we all?!) who is now about to pay the ultimate penalty (in his career) for making a huge mistake.
I'm also gutted for Andy, Leon and the rest of the DC team who have always supported him.
Very sad day for British tennis. :sad:

[patlowe]

Well said Passionada! Agree with everything you say. Will just add it's so sad to see all that brilliant talent wasted!

[Alis]

So much talent - so many chances - I do have to question whether Dan has a brain.

[RosieBear]

People can be as sad (rather than angry) as they wish. The bottom line is Dan has proven himself to be a serial loser. He deserves to earn the right to turn things around and play again (and I hope he does/is capable) but I have no sympathy for him.

[Reef]

People can be as sad (rather than angry) as they wish. The bottom line is Dan has proven himself to be a serial loser. He deserves to earn the right to turn things around and play again (and I hope he does/is capable) but I have no sympathy for him.

Sorry but Dan has had so many chances to prove himself - enough is enough IMHO. ..

[banskogirl]

:sad:

for Leon, for the DC team, for tennis, for his family and his fans........but mostly for Dan. Agree with a lot that has been said, also disagree with some but just want to add, a lesson learned is better late than never.

If, possibly, this is a real wake up call for Dan then I hope he uses the length of his ban to do good, for himself and also for some of the causes this has brought into the light again.

[themass15]

Let us hope the ban doesn't send him completely off the rails

[RosieBear]

I think Dan will feel extremely guilty about dirtying the name of (British) tennis, which is his greatest wrong after all, since no physical advantage, that he will do everything to make amends. This could, ironically, be the making of him. I hope so anyway.

[karanga]

I hope you're right Rosie. Certainly the way he handled that press conference showed that he is already realising the enormity of what he has done to himself and British tennis and feels sorry.

I hope too that he receives all the support and help he needs and comes out of this a stronger person.

[banskogirl]

I really think he may.............

[Jan62]

Overriding thought for me is what an idiot. He finally seemed to have put all the pieces together and realised what a good career he could have, stringing together some great performances and rising to top 50. But his love of the parties would appear to have still held too much appeal. I hope this does make him re-evaluate but I fear that if he gets a long suspension then he won't be back. Drug taking claims a lot of victims and its not always teenagers. If Dan needs support to get past this then I hope he takes it.

[Alis]

I really hope so Jan62.

[JAMES4578]

Obviously Dan has been foolish but hopefully really does mean it when he says he's let a lot down as well as himself. He's always had highs and lows and not always had the best work ethic with his love of the party scene, though don't suppose you can expect everyone to be totally focused and there are distractions. I haven't been Dan's biggest fan lately with some of the comments he's made, however still think it's sad and hope he will return at a later date.

[Hawkeye]

He's always had highs and lows We know what sort of highs...

[ljs]

Just heard about Dan this morning , sad !!

Even tho hes a pro player , hes still human and has flaws like we all do

Hope he can get past this

[RosieBear]

Dan's case has reminded me of Martina Hingis' ban. In 2007 she failed a drug test for microscopic traces of cocaine (well, benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine).
The ITF case states that "the very low estimated concentration of benzoylecgonine (42 ng/ml) was such that it would go unreported in many drug testing programmes such as that of the US military, which uses a screening threshold of 150 ng/ml."

Despite only microscopic level of cocaine being detected, which would not have been performing enhancing, she was banned for two years, and the particular drug that she had taken played a role in the length of the ban.

Looking at ITF tribunal "jurisprudence" is a much clearer indicator of Dan's potential treatment than simply looking at the legislation.

I'm of the view that anyone who believes Dan's punishment will/should be less than other recently banned players because of the recreational context is clutching at straws.

[RosieBear]

That is a good answer Rosie in terms of the blurring of social and tennis legislation but the banning of performance enhancing drugs is pharmacologically rather than socially based, as far as I am aware.

I've double checked, David, and it is based in both.

The World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Prohibited List and Methods Sub-Committee that advises on which substances should be on WADA's list of prohibited substances, states that a drug will be black-listed if the answer is yes to at least two of the three following questions:

Does the drug enhance an athlete's performance? Could it put an athlete's health at risk? Does using the drug violate the spirit of sport?

With cocaine, the answer to the second and third questions would have to be yes meaning the debate on whether it enhances an player's performance becomes academic.

[Jan]

I have been away, with no TV and not a lot of time to get on the internet. I did however see some papers on Saturday. I just could not believe my eyes, and had to read the report several times to make sure. My overwhelming reaction (possibly like many others) was Dan, Dan, you stupid, stupid boy. Having worked so hard to get his ranking up, to (possibly/probably) throw it all away is just so senseless. I still can't quite believe it.

[pabbers]

At least he's not whingeing. He's manned up to it unlike Sharapova who desperately tried to wriggle out of her ban. Silly boy? Yes. But IMHO has some sense of taking responsibility for his own actions.
So sad. I love his tennis and had hoped to watch him after Andy retires. His game in many respects reflects his personality. I'm afraid the prospect of Kyle doesn't excite me one little bit.

[lynne]

Tweet from @Piers Newbery.....




@piersnewbery
Following
More
Ellesse on Dan Evans: "We cannot condone the lifestyle choices he has made and are therefore withdrawing his sponsorship."


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDVrED_W0AEdzB8.jpg

[Bardot]

Liam Broady on his mate Evo. Kyle said something similar after his match yesterday.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDVrxzQXkAQGa4k.jpg

Ellesse on the other hand.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDVrED_W0AEdzB8.jpg

[Alis]

Well done, Liam. Dan has been an absolute idiot but it's nice to see that, while not condoning what he has done, his friends are standing by him.

[Teresa]

Desperately sad, but the brutal reality is it's his own fault.

Compare and contrast Nike, Evian and Head with Sharapova.

Their stance is the correct one IMHO

[banskogirl]

Lovely from Liam. Yes Alis, just the same as 'real life', supporting a friend even when they've been seriously daft!

[Teresa]

I should also have said kudos for Liam for not diminishing what Dan has done, but still supporting him.

Compare and contrast with Djokovic's stance on Troicki - blaming everyone else but Troicki.

[RosieBear]

Compare and contrast Nike, Evian and Head with Sharapova.






Compare and contrast with Djokovic's stance on Troicki - blaming everyone else but Troicki.

But we can't really compare and contrast these cases can we, well not in any meaningful way, because they are different. Apples and oranges.

[Teresa]

But we can't really compare and contrast these cases can we, well not in any meaningful way, because they are different. Apples and oranges.

It depends very much on how cynical you are.........

[RosieBear]

It depends very much on how cynical you are.........

That's true! Well, I might not always agree with your cynicism in relation to tennis, but I do up vote/recommend your posts a lot in The Times on other matters.:) :thumbup:

[Alis]

Desperately sad, but the brutal reality is it's his own fault.

Compare and contrast Nike, Evian and Head with Sharapova.

Their stance is the correct one IMHO

I thought that Head had supported Sharapova through thick and thin - did I get that wrong?

[Hawkeye]

That's the point she's making, all of Sharapova's sponsors wanted to continue milking the cash cow.

[Alis]

That's what I thought. Teresa says 'their stance is the correct one IMHO' - but that seems to be in total variance with Teresa's usual stance. Have interpreted this totally incorrectly?

[-J-]

That's what I thought. Teresa says 'their stance is the correct one IMHO' - but that seems to be in total variance with Teresa's usual stance. Have interpreted this totally incorrectly?
think she means dans sponsors are correct and your presuming she means Sharapova's

[greatunclebulgaria]

Tweet from @Piers Newbery.....





https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDVrED_W0AEdzB8.jpg

if only all sponsors felt the same :)

[Teresa]

think she means dans sponsors are correct and your presuming she means Sharapova's


Sorry, that exactly what I meant.

Dan's sponsors have made the correct decision, however hard it is for Dan. Sharapova's sponsors attitude was wrong to me.

[Alis]

Ah, of course - that does make sense. I had totally misinterpreted your comment, Teresa - bear of little brain that I am!:facepalm: Thanks for clearing that up.

[Caro]

At least he's not whingeing. He's manned up to it unlike Sharapova who desperately tried to wriggle out of her ban. Silly boy? Yes. But IMHO has some sense of taking responsibility for his own actions.
So sad. I love his tennis and had hoped to watch him after Andy retires. His game in many respects reflects his personality. I'm afraid the prospect of Kyle doesn't excite me one little bit.

Completely agree pabbers.

[JerryD]

I should also have said kudos for Liam for not diminishing what Dan has done, but still supporting him.

Compare and contrast with Djokovic's stance on Troicki - blaming everyone else but Troicki.


I have to say again that troicki did not test positive for anything drugs. He delayed a test less than 12 hour and even the powers in place to decide on these matters said that it wasn't to evade detection of any know substance. He mistakenly felt like it was an option and it the powers that be didn't think there was anything to be learned from the incident then perhaps you could say djoko was wrong to blame itgers. But they did find fault with how it was done. Aside from that djoko did also blame troicki but he said and rightly that the process should be clearer there shouldn't be a language barrier and that the suspension was overly harsh. Given others has got less time for taking drugs I have to agree.


I'm sorry to go on but we are running close here to accusing someone of something they didn't do.

As for Dan's sponsors I completely see why they had to drop him. I feel sorry for him but it is understandable. Dan made a mistake one that will cause him real troubles. I hope he learns from it and has the support he needs to return to the sport when any ban is lifted.

[Teresa]

I think we need to agree to disagree on this one. The extract from the Council of Arbitration for Sport states clearly he did commit an anti doping offence, and questions the veracity of his account of procedings. So in my cynicism about Troicki's explanation, I am merely following the official line.

"The CAS panel confirmed that Mr Troicki failed to provide a sample having been notified by a chaperone of his selection to provide one. It also confirmed the finding of the independent tribunal that the Doping Control Officer told Mr Troicki that, once selected, he had to undergo the test and that he could face sanctions if he failed to do so. The full CAS decision stated that the recollection of Mr Troicki was “coloured by his subsequent reconstruction of events” and that any such subjective interpretation did not amount to ‘compelling justification’ to forego the test. The CAS panel thus confirmed that Mr Troicki had committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Article 2.3 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.
However, the CAS panel found that the misunderstanding between Mr Troicki and the Doping Control Officer permitted the application of Article 10.5.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme and decided that, considering Mr Troicki’s degree of fault, the eighteen-month sanction imposed by the independent tribunal should be set aside, and replaced with a period of ineligibility of twelve months, starting from 15 July 2013. He thus will be eligible to participate on 15 July 2014".

Read more at http://www.itftennis.com/antidoping/news/decisions/cas-decision-in-the-case-of-viktor-troicki.aspx#7sVXqAtQWJl4eRHG.99

[Bardot]

Andy's comments about Evo during his press conference after the Bublik match.


He put himself in that position, he broke those rules and deserves his suspension

He's going to have a few years away from the game now.

I spoke to him the evening before the announcement.

[greatunclebulgaria]

love the fact Andy's position doesn't change depending on who the person in trouble is :sirandy::knight:

[Alis]

love the fact Andy's position doesn't change depending on who the person in trouble is :sirandy::knight:

Me too!

[RosieBear]

By Martha Kelner for The Guardian: 'Andy Murray says Dan Evans has ‘blown career’ with positive cocaine test'.

Andy Murray is unwavering in his tough stance on those found to have flouted anti-doping rules and that hard line extends to his friends. The champion revealed he spoke to Dan Evans the night before the 27-year-old announced last month he had tested positive for cocaine. Murray said: “He has let himself down and all of the people that help him. I’m sure his team and family will be extremely disappointed with what he’s done. I have obviously spent a reasonable amount of time with Dan over the last couple of years. He put himself in a position to do really well for the last few years of his career and he has blown that now. It will be interesting to see what he does, if he even wants to come back. It’s going to be a long road back if he wants to do it. He’s made poor decisions in the past and he made another really bad one there.”

Can always rely on Andy to tell it like it is:thumbup:

[roytennisfan]

So sad about Dan, i was on my 25th anniversary holiday when news broke on our anniversary, was too sad to comment then. No surprise in what Andy says since we all knew his views on drug taking and I guess Dan will get at least a 2 year ban. As others have said, Dan is a great player to watch, so technically correct in many shots, he had done amazingly well the past year plus for a guy who is only 5 foot 9 and who had previously struggled to get his act together. His late coach said he had the talent to reach the top 60 which seemed a longshot at the time but he did even better reaching 41 earlier this year. I'm afraid that we won't see Dan at anything like that ranking again, even if he does pull out all stops when the ban ends

[patlowe]

I don't think anyone on here would disagree with Andy's position re drug taking no matter who the person is. Taking drugs is simply not acceptable and I know Dan is prepared to take whatever penalty is imposed on him as a consequence of his actions. But that doesn't stop it from being very sad to see a talented player like Dan throw away everything he has achieved due to reckless behaviour. I will always be sad for Dan and feel so sorry he couldn't manage his life better.

[pabbers]

Every so often in life you come across someone really able but who self destructs time and time again. I fear Dan is one of them. I worry now about which way in general his life will go.

[themass15]

Every so often in life you come across someone really able but who self destructs time and time again. I fear Dan is one of them. I worry now about which way in general his life will go.

Me too Pat, this could send him completely off the rails

[Caro]

Still no news on Evo's ban. I really really miss watching him and following his progress :sad:

[Passionanda]

Still no news on Evo's ban. I really really miss watching him and following his progress :sad:Me too, Caro, I always loved watching his style of play and see him rise through the rankings. Such a sad loss to the game. :sad:

[Rosalind]

I think the injured players result in a loss to the game e.g. Del Po or Laura Robson and I can feel very sorry for them. I remember Dan losing in NY last year and he was asked if, like Andy says, he would now "work harder' and he replied 'I didn't get that memo' rather disparagingly I felt. Well he certainly didn't. He didn't have the mentality for the top even though he had talent.

[themass15]

I would say this isn't too bad http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/41489907

[Teresa]

A 12 month ban, backdated to the time of the offence. Back April 2018. I would say he has got away with it. I sincerely hope he learns from the experience and knuckles down again and leaves the prattism until he hangs his racquet up. Stupid boy.

[Hawkeye]

A year's ban is not to be sniffed at.

[greatunclebulgaria]

funnily enough while watching Kyle earlier I thought 'when is Dan's hearing'

in all honestly I feel he has gotten off very lightly and lets see where his head in next April when he will be unranked? (I think)

Left over cocaine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! don't think I've heard that one before:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

do you have any left over coke jezz

[Teresa]

Left over cocaine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! don't think I've heard that one before:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

do you have any left over coke jezz

Doesn't everybody..............? You never know when you are going to need a quick snort (or am I thinking of chocolate?):-)

[Stell]

Just read about Dan's one year ban, which got backdated, and he'll be back on the 24th April next year.

[Linda]

I guess I owe him an apology for suggesting that he had been partying all weekend . . .

[JAMES4578]

ITF Statement (http://www.itftennis.com/media/274164/274164.pdf)

[patlowe]

I for one will be very glad to welcome him back. I was glad to read he is "determined to return to the sport I love." I hope he is working hard towards that goal. And most of all, I hope it will be a lesson well learned.

[lovetennis]

Dan's ban could have been much worse so I do hope he has learned a very hard lesson and can now re-boot his career. It would be such a shame to see all that talent wasted. Whilst Dan has been very silly and indeed it was an illega substancel, at least from a sport point of view his violation was not performance enhancing....unlike certain other people I could mention (yes, I mean you Maria Sharapova)

[roytennisfan]

I think in the current climate that 12 months backdated is a pretty good result for Dan, I must admit, i expected 2 years. However, it seems Dan's case has been taken itnto account (also maybe, as some have suggested, they didn't want to have another one go to, and be reduced by CAS) Hope he can produce the form that will bring him into consideration for our possible DC tie in September. However, I cannot see wimbledon giving him a WC, but maybe some atp250 or Challengers might