Dan Evans has been snubbed for a Wimbledon wild-card as further punishment for getting hit with a drug ban.

The bad-boy of British tennis will now have to play six qualifying matches to reach the main draw on July 2.

Evans reached the Nottingham Challenger tournament last weekend to climb up to world No.340 after returning from his 12-month suspension for cocaine in April.

The LTA this week gave him a wildcard to enter the Fever-Tree Championship at Queen’s Club. But while Liam Broady and Jay Clarke – and Aussie Alex de Minaur - were issued with invites to men’s competition worth £39,000 for a first round defeat, the All England Club has decided on a matter of principle not to give any help to Evans.

The former British No.2 has peformed better than Broady and Clarke – and the six British women to receive wildcards – in this grasscourt season.

To play his home Grand Slam, British No.7 Evans will need to win three matches in pre-qualifying starting on Thursday – and then another three matches in proper qualifying starting on Monday.

Great Britain's Dan Evans (
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PA)
Dan Evans in action (
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Getty Images Europe)

Former French Open champion Sue Barker said: “I feel like Dan has served his time and should be entitled to a Wimbledon wild card, at least into qualifying.

“He has put his hands up and apologised for what happened, he has missed almost a year of competition because of his positive test, and now he is back and playing good grass-court tennis. Personally, he is one of my favourite players to watch, and I know there are plenty of other people who would love to see him play at Wimbledon.

“I would be interested to know what the thinking of the wild-card committee was because I just don’t understand this one.”

After his defeat at Queen’s Club, Evans said: If someone had said I’d be playing pre-quallies a year ago, I’d have taken it. It’s fine by me if I’m playing in that tournament.”

Wimbledon will announce the seedings – and whether seven-time champion Serena Williams will be in the top 32 – on Wednesday.

Men's singles wildcards: Jay Clarke, Liam Broady, Alex de Minaur (Aus)

Women's singles wildcards: Katie Boulter, Naomi Broady, Harriet Dart, Katy Dunne, Katie Swan, Gabriella Taylor, Ons Jabeur (Tunisia)