The Czech left-hander tested positive for the steroid nandrolone at summer's Wimbledon championships and was stripped of his prize money and ranking points.

News of the drug test was not revealed until two days before Christmas but Korda escaped a ban after the International Tennis Federation accepted his claim that he was unaware of taking any banned substance.

He told The Times newspaper that he had originally planned to make 1998 his last season.

He said: "I wanted to play the season and then retire, but I couldn't retire in such circumstances. I now just want one or two more years to show people what Petr Korda is capable of on the tennis court."

Korda will return to action at next week's Qatar Open, prior to heading for Australia.

"I have never cheated and I have never taken any steroid to increase my performance on the court. When I first heard the news I thought it was a bad joke, and it was a very difficult time for me and my family," he added.