Nick Kyrgios provisionally suspended from tennis after positive cocaine test
Kyrgios’s Suspension and Admission
Nick Kyrgios, a former Wimbledon finalist, has received a provisional suspension from tennis after testing positive for cocaine. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed the suspension following an announcement by Kyrgios himself on social media. The 31-year-old Australian revealed on Wednesday that he had “made a huge mistake,” taking full responsibility for the positive test.
The positive test occurred during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June. Subsequent tests conducted at a World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) laboratory last month confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in his system. Under ITIA regulations, a provisional suspension is mandatory for such positive tests, although Kyrgios retains the right to appeal the decision.
Kyrgios provided a sample on 22 June 2026, during the ATP 250 event in Mallorca, Spain. The ITIA statement specified that the Wada-accredited laboratory confirmed the presence of the cocaine metabolite on 17 July 2026. Cocaine is listed as a stimulant and substance of abuse on the Wada Prohibited List, making it banned in competition under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. The provisional suspension has been in effect since 4 August 2026.
Impact of Injuries and Future Steps
In his Instagram post, Nick Kyrgios issued an apology to his family, fans, and sponsors, acknowledging that he had no excuses for his actions. He specifically expressed regret to the children who follow him, recognizing the negative example set by his conduct. Kyrgios also offered context regarding his recent struggles, citing the significant mental and physical toll that injuries have taken on him over the past couple of years.
He described feeling helpless and alone as his body has been unable to perform as his mind expects, and coming to terms with the potential end of his career has proven challenging. Kyrgios stated that letting go of tennis, which has been his entire life, is one of the hardest things he has faced. Despite these personal challenges, he maintained that they do not excuse his actions.
The ITIA’s statement confirmed an unspecified provisional suspension, with its duration largely dependent on whether the substance was consumed in or out of competition. If taken out of competition, reduced sanctions apply for substances of abuse. For example, Wada rules stipulate a three-month suspension for out-of-competition offences, which can be further reduced to one month if the athlete agrees to participate in an approved rehabilitation programme, a path taken by South Africa’s fast bowler Kasigo Rabada last year after a similar positive test.
Dan Evans, a former British No 1, received a 12-month ban in 2017 after testing positive for cocaine during the Barcelona Open. However, Wada rules have since been updated regarding out-of-competition offences. The ITIA noted that Kyrgios has the right to appeal the suspension but has not yet done so.
Career Context and Recent Challenges
Nick Kyrgios has been a prominent and often controversial figure throughout his career. His career highlight includes reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022, where he was defeated by Novak Djokovic. He achieved his highest world ranking of 13 in 2016.
In recent years, injuries have significantly limited Kyrgios’s participation in tournaments. He has not competed in a Grand Slam event since the 2025 Australian Open. This season, he has played only four singles matches. Despite his limited Grand Slam appearances, he did participate in the “Battle of the Sexes” against Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai last December. His current world ranking is 919th. He was also granted a wild card to play doubles at Wimbledon last month, where he and partner Alexander Bublik lost in the first round.
Kyrgios indicated that this event has served as a “wake-up call.” He plans to step away from social media and public life for the next 28 days to focus on his well-being, requesting privacy for himself and his family during this period. He expressed his commitment to working on himself and returning better.
Source: theguardian.com
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
