Australian star admits “huge mistake” as provisional suspension hits.
Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after a positive test for cocaine. The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed the ban on Wednesday, revealing a sample taken during the Mallorca Open on 22 June contained benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite.
The former world No. 13 has been sidelined since 4 August. He has not appealed. Under the rules he cannot play, coach or even attend any ATP, WTA, Grand Slam or national association event until a tribunal rules.
A career on the ropes
Kyrgios has played just four singles matches this season and won only one. Knee and wrist injuries have limited him for years. His last appearance came in the men’s doubles at Wimbledon, where he and Alexander Bublik fell in the first round.
Cocaine sits on the WADA prohibited list as both a stimulant and a substance of abuse. An in-competition positive can bring a ban of up to four years. If Kyrgios proves the drug was taken out of competition the maximum drops to three months.
“I take full responsibility”
In a lengthy Instagram statement the 31-year-old made no excuses. “I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it,” he wrote. He apologised to fans, family, sponsors and especially “the kids who follow me.”
Kyrgios linked the episode to the physical and mental toll of recent injuries. “My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do,” he said. “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 added that the positive test had been a wake-up call and announced a 28-day break from social media and public life to “focus on getting myself right.”
What comes next
The ITIA said support remains available to Kyrgios. A full tribunal hearing will decide any final sanction. Until then the Australian, once a Wimbledon finalist and Australian Open doubles champion, remains locked out of the sport he has both electrified and unsettled for more than a decade.
AI Disclosure: This article was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools and was reviewed and edited by the Glowls News editorial team before publication.