Australian Tennis Star Suspended After Cocaine Test

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine during an ATP tournament in Mallorca, Spain.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday. Kyrgios provided a sample on June 22 during the ATP 250 event.

A laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, on July 17.

The provisional suspension started on August 4.

The 31-year-old can appeal, but the ITIA said he had not done so at the time of the announcement.

Kyrgios acknowledged the positive test in a statement on Instagram on Wednesday. He said he had made a serious mistake and accepted responsibility for his actions.

"I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine. I made a huge mistake, and I take full responsibility for it," he wrote.

Kyrgios also apologized to his fans, family, sponsors, and young supporters.

"Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself," Kyrgios said.

He mentioned that the positive test came after several tough years filled with injuries that affected him both physically and mentally.

"My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do, and coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined," he said.

But he added that his struggles do not excuse his actions.

"None of that excuses what I did," Kyrgios added.

Because of the provisional suspension, Kyrgios cannot play in, coach at, or attend events sanctioned by the professional tennis tours, including Grand Slam tournaments, while his case is ongoing.

This season, Kyrgios has only played four singles matches as injuries have continued to limit his career. His last competition was at Wimbledon in the men’s doubles with Alexander Bublik, where they lost in the first round.

The former world number 13 reached the Wimbledon singles final in 2022, losing to Novak Djokovic. He has also won seven ATP Tour singles titles and the 2022 Australian Open men’s doubles title with his fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Kyrgios said he would now take a break from social media and public life for 28 days to focus on his wellbeing.

"I’m sorry. I’ll do the work and come back better," he said.