Inside tennis world’s darkest secrets… Brit Wimbledon star’s cocaine shame to rogue dad who tarnished daughter’s career

THE SUN

AT Wimbledon tennis stars have to dress all in white – but some of them are far from pure off the court.

Ladies and gentlemen of the game have been caught up in numerous scandals over the years, from drug abuse to match-fixing.

The intense pressure of the tour circuit sometimes causes players to stray over the line.

As Wimbledon draws to a close, here we reveal some of the tennis world’s darkest secrets.

Cocaine ban

British No2 Dan Evans had a habit of getting into trouble when he was younger.

Brummie Evans, now 33, who was knocked out in the first round of Wimbledon this year, had his funding cut three times for his poor attitude.

The first time was in 2008 for clubbing until 3am before a junior match at Wimbledon.

Six years ago he was slapped with a 12 month ban after admitting taking cocaine.

At the time drug testers found traces of the white powder in his washbag in Barcelona, he ranked 43 in the world and was in the form of his life.

Evans said at the time: “It’s really important that you know this was taken out of competition and in a context completely unrelated to tennis.”

In 2018 he told The Guardian: “It’s a shocking drug – and not just in sport; it’s terrible in life, it’s a life-ruiner… I took it.

“I knew beforehand I shouldn’t have. It’s illegal for one, never mind being a sportsman.

“If you’re taking drugs you’re not in the clearest mindset.”