Nick Kyrgios Suspended After Cocaine Positive Test

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from professional tennis after testing positive for cocaine. According to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), the suspension, effective since August 4, stems from a June tournament in Mallorca, Spain, where Kyrgios’s sample tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite.

In an Instagram statement, Kyrgios admitted, “I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it.” Once ranked as high as world number 13, Kyrgios has now dropped to 919 due to injuries, having participated in only four singles matches this season. His recent wild card entry for the Wimbledon doubles competition with partner Alexander Bublik ended in a first-round loss.

The suspension prohibits Kyrgios from participating in or coaching at any events organized by tennis’s global bodies or national associations. While the ITIA noted Kyrgios’s right to appeal, he has not pursued this option.

Through Instagram, Kyrgios expressed remorse to his fans, family, sponsors, and young followers, acknowledging the negative example set by his actions. He explained the challenges he faced due to ongoing injuries and the mental struggles of nearing career’s end, though he emphasized these do not excuse his actions.

“Letting go of something that has been my whole life is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face,” said Kyrgios. Announcing a temporary break from social media and public life, he aims to “focus on getting myself right.”

Kyrgios has been known for controversial behavior on the court, including outbursts and disputes. In 2015, he made a derogatory remark to an opponent, and in 2023, he was involved in an incident of assault against an ex-partner. In 2024, he criticized doping cases involving top players, expressing his disdain for doping in sports.

The suspension underscores Kyrgios’s complicated relationship with his sport, marked by both accomplishments and controversies.