Nick Kyrgios, the 31-year-old Australian tennis star and former Wimbledon finalist, has been suspended from the sport after testing positive for cocaine. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed the provisional suspension, which has been in effect since August 4, 2026.
The positive test occurred during an ATP 250 event held in Mallorca, Spain, on June 22, 2026. Subsequent testing conducted by a World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada)-accredited laboratory on July 17, 2026, confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. Under current ITIA regulations, a provisional suspension is mandatory for positive tests involving the substance.
Kyrgios publicly addressed the situation via an Instagram post on Wednesday, describing his actions as a “huge mistake” for which he accepts full responsibility. In his statement, the athlete apologized to his family, fans, and sponsors. He emphasized that he was not offering excuses, but provided context regarding the mental and physical toll of recent injuries. He noted that the inability of his body to perform as expected, combined with the prospect of his career nearing its conclusion, had left him feeling isolated and helpless.
“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,” Kyrgios wrote. He added that the incident serves as a wake-up call and announced he will step away from public life and social media for 28 days to focus on his recovery.
The duration of the suspension remains to be finalized. Under current Wada rules, out-of-competition offences typically carry a three-month ban, which may be reduced to one month if the athlete completes an approved rehabilitation program. The ITIA noted that the final length of the ban will depend on whether the substance was consumed in or out of competition. Previous precedents include a 12-month ban for Dan Evans in 2017, though regulations have since evolved.
Kyrgios, who reached a career-high world ranking of 13 in 2016 and finished as the runner-up at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, has not competed in a grand slam since the 2025 Australian Open. Despite his limited recent appearances, he remains a high-profile figure in the sport, having participated in a "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match against Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai last December.
“I’m sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself.
This ban can be reduced further to one month if the athlete agrees to undertake an approved programme of rehabilitation, the route taken by South Africa fast bowler Kasigo Rabada after he tested positive for cocaine last year.
