Tennis Player Nick Kyrgios Suspended After Positive Cocaine Test

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from professional tennis following a positive test for cocaine. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that Kyrgios, who was once a Wimbledon finalist, received his suspension on August 4. This decision followed the detection of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, in a test taken during a June tournament in Mallorca, Spain.

Kyrgios addressed the situation on Instagram, acknowledging his mistake and accepting full responsibility. Previously ranking as world number 13, he has now fallen to the 919th position due to various injuries. At 31, he has participated in only four singles matches this season. He gained entry as a wild card in the doubles competition at Wimbledon in July, but was eliminated in the first round with partner Alexander Bublik.

“I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it,” Kyrgios stated on Instagram.

Due to the suspension, Kyrgios cannot participate in or coach at any events organized by tennis’s global bodies or national associations until the suspension is lifted. Although he holds the right to appeal this provisional suspension, the ITIA reports he has not yet pursued that option.

In his Instagram post, Kyrgios expressed apologies to his fans, family, sponsors, and particularly to young followers who look up to him. He emphasized the importance of setting a good example, acknowledging his disappointment in himself.

“The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both physically and mentally,” Kyrgios explained. “Letting go of something that has been my whole life is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face. None of that excuses what I did.”

He further announced he would temporarily step away from social media and public life for a month to focus on personal recovery.

Kyrgios is known for his outspoken behavior on the court, including disputes with umpires and breaking rackets. His controversial reputation includes past incidents such as making a derogatory comment in 2015 about a fellow player’s girlfriend and acknowledging an assault on an ex-partner in 2023, actions for which he faced no criminal charges. In addition, Kyrgios apologized in 2024 for sharing content from a controversial online influencer.

Throughout his career, Kyrgios has consistently criticized how doping cases are managed in tennis. He previously highlighted high-profile doping cases involving players like Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek as damaging to the sport’s reputation.

At a U.S. Open match in New York some years ago, he voiced concerns about being disturbed by a smell he perceived as marijuana on the court.