Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has admitted making a “huge mistake” after testing positive for cocaine during an ATP tournament in Mallorca, resulting in a provisional suspension from professional tennis.
The 31-year-old Australian tested positive for benzoylecgonine, the primary metabolite of cocaine, following a sample collected during the ATP 250 event in Mallorca on June 22. A WADA-accredited laboratory confirmed the result on July 17, while the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) provisionally suspended him on August 4.
Kyrgios publicly acknowledged the violation in a statement on Instagram, taking full responsibility for his actions and apologising to his fans, family, sponsors and young supporters.
The Australian said the physical and mental toll of his recent injury struggles had contributed to a difficult period in his life, particularly as he contemplated the possibility that his tennis career could be nearing its end.
However, Kyrgios stressed that his circumstances did not excuse the violation and accepted responsibility for the failed test.
The suspension currently prevents him from competing in official tennis events, including ATP tournaments and Grand Slams. Kyrgios has not appealed the provisional suspension so far and has announced that he will step away from public life and social media for 28 days to focus on himself.
The positive test comes during one of the most difficult periods of Kyrgios’ career. The Australian has struggled with persistent injuries and has made only limited appearances on the professional circuit in recent seasons.
Once ranked as high as 13th in the world, Kyrgios reached the Wimbledon final in 2022 before losing to Novak Djokovic. He has since endured a series of injuries that have severely restricted his time on court and currently sits outside the world’s top 900.
Under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s rules, cocaine is classified as a prohibited stimulant and a “Substance of Abuse” when detected in competition. The length of any eventual sanction will depend on the circumstances and the outcome of the disciplinary process.
Kyrgios has now vowed to use the period away from the sport to work on himself, adding another unexpected chapter to a career that has been marked by extraordinary talent, controversy and repeated battles with injury.
