Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine.
The Australian submitted a sample during the Mallorca Open on 22 June that later tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. The International Tennis Integrity Agency provisionally suspended him from August 4 and said he could appeal the decision but has not done so.
Under the suspension, Kyrgios cannot play, coach at or attend Grand Slams or any events sanctioned by the men’s and women’s tennis tours while the case awaits a tribunal outcome.
Kyrgios addressed the suspension in an Instagram post, saying that he made “a huge mistake” and takes “full responsibility” for it. He linked the incident to years of struggling with injuries. “My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do,” he wrote. “Coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined. None of that excuses what I did.”
He apologised directly to those affected by his actions. “I’m sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself.”
Kyrgios said he plans to step away from social media and public life for 28 days to “focus on getting myself right.”
Cocaine is listed as a stimulant and substance of abuse under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list. While reduced sanctions apply to athletes who test positive for it outside of competitions, Kyrgios submitted his sample during a tournament in which he played singles, losing in the first round to Adam Walton.
The 31-year-old has played just four singles matches this season due to ongoing knee and wrist injuries. His last appearance came in the men’s doubles at Wimbledon, where he and partner Alexander Bublik lost in the first round.
Kyrgios has won seven ATP Tour singles titles and reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, losing in four sets to Novak Djokovic. He and fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis won the Australian Open men’s doubles title the same year.
He has previously spoken about mental health struggles, saying he contemplated suicide and spent time in a psychiatric hospital in London following his 2019 Wimbledon defeat.
This article touches on mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a crisis line or mental health professional in your area.
