Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine. The 31-year-old Australian announced the news on Instagram, stating he had “made a huge mistake.” The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) later confirmed the suspension.
Kyrgios tested positive during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June. A World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) laboratory confirmed the presence of cocaine in his system last month. Under ITIA regulations, a provisional suspension is mandatory for positive cocaine tests, though Kyrgios retains the right to appeal.
In his Instagram statement, Kyrgios offered apologies to his family, fans, and sponsors, acknowledging he had no excuses for his actions. He also mentioned that recent struggles with injuries had taken a significant toll on him, both mentally and physically. He stated, “I’m not going to make excuses, but I do want to give some context about where I’ve been. The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, 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.”
Kyrgios provided a sample on June 22, 2026, during the ATP 250 event in Mallorca, Spain. The positive result, indicating the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, was confirmed on July 17, 2026. Cocaine is listed as a stimulant and substance of abuse on the Wada Prohibited List and is banned in competition under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. The ITIA noted that reduced sanctions can apply if the substance is taken out of competition. The mandatory provisional suspension for Kyrgios has been in effect since August 4, 2026.
Kyrgios also expressed the difficulty of potentially ending his career, stating, “I’ve always said I didn’t choose tennis – tennis chose me. But letting go of something that has been my whole life is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face. At times I’ve felt helpless and alone. None of that excuses what I did.”
The ITIA’s statement confirmed an unspecified provisional suspension, with its duration dependent on whether the substance was consumed in or out of competition. In 2017, Dan Evans received a 12-month ban for a positive cocaine test during the Barcelona Open. However, Wada rules have since changed, now stipulating a three-month suspension for out-of-competition offenses. This ban can be further reduced to one month if an athlete agrees to participate in an approved rehabilitation program, a path taken by South Africa fast bowler Kasigo Rabada last year after his own positive cocaine test.
Kyrgios has been a notable figure throughout his career, which saw him reach the Wimbledon final in 2022, where he was defeated by Novak Djokovic. His highest world ranking was 13 in 2016. In recent years, injuries have limited his appearances, and he has not participated in a Grand Slam since the 2025 Australian Open. He did, however, take part in a “Battle of the Sexes” match against Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai last December.
Kyrgios acknowledged that this situation has served as a “wake up call.” He stated his intention to step away from social media and public life for the next 28 days to focus on his well-being. He requested privacy for himself and his family during this period, vowing to “do the work and come back better.”
His career has been impacted by a series of wrist and knee injuries, leading to a significant drop in his rankings. Kyrgios received a wild card to play doubles at Wimbledon last month, where he and partner Alexander Bublik lost in the first round.
Source: theguardian.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.