Nick Kyrgios is facing another difficult chapter in his career. The Australian tennis player has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine in an anti-doping test conducted during the ATP 250 event in Mallorca on June 22.
Kyrgios Tests Positive in Drug Test and Is Suspended
Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended after a test conducted during a tournament in Mallorca detected a cocaine metabolite. The Australian acknowledged his mistake and publicly apologized.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) reported that a laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed on July 17 the presence of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, in the 31-year-old player's sample.
Kyrgios' suspension went into effect on August 4. The Australian did not appeal the decision and took responsibility for what happened.
Kyrgios Admits His Mistake After Positive Test
After the news emerged, Kyrgios posted a message on social media apologizing to his fans, family, sponsors and those close to him.
“I made a huge mistake,” the Australian admitted, while also expressing regret over the message the incident could send to young fans who follow his career.
Cocaine is included on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances. However, regulations allow for reduced sanctions in certain cases involving use outside of competition.
This latest setback comes at a particularly difficult point for Kyrgios, whose career has been affected by numerous physical problems in recent years.
A Career Marked by Talent and Injuries
Kyrgios reached a career-high No. 13 in the world rankings in 2016 and has won seven ATP singles titles. His best Grand Slam result came at Wimbledon in 2022, when he reached the final before losing in four sets to Novak Djokovic.
The Australian is also part of a select group of players to have recorded official victories over the four biggest stars of his generation: Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
However, injuries have significantly affected his career in recent years. Problems with his wrist, knee, elbow, hip, shoulder and collarbone have resulted in lengthy absences and several surgeries, including a full reconstruction of his right wrist in 2024.
Now, Kyrgios faces another enforced spell away from competition. The Australian said the episode has served as a wake-up call and vowed to work toward returning to the tour in better shape.
