Nick Kyrgios Suspended After Testing Positive for Cocaine

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine during an ATP 250 tournament in Mallorca, Spain.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said Kyrgios provided a sample on June 22 that tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.

The sample was analysed by a laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which confirmed the presence of the substance on July 17.

Kyrgios was provisionally suspended from August 4, preventing him from participating in or attending tennis events during the suspension.

The 31-year-old former Wimbledon finalist acknowledged the positive test in a statement on Instagram, accepting responsibility for what he described as a serious mistake.

He apologised to his fans, family, sponsors and young supporters, saying he understood the example his actions could set.

Kyrgios also said the physical and psychological toll of persistent injuries had contributed to his struggles, although he acknowledged that this did not excuse his actions.

The Australian, who reached a career-high ranking of world No. 13, has been affected by injuries in recent years and has made only limited appearances on the professional circuit.

He said he would step away from public life and social media for 28 days to focus on his recovery and personal wellbeing.

Under tennis anti-doping rules, cocaine is classified as a substance of abuse and is prohibited in competition. The eventual length of Kyrgios’ suspension will depend on the outcome of the disciplinary process and whether the substance was determined to have been used in or out of competition.

Kyrgios has the right to appeal the provisional suspension but, according to the ITIA, had not done so at the time of its announcement.

The case is now subject to the relevant anti-doping procedures, with the final sanction yet to be determined.