Nick Kyrgios Suspended After Positive Cocaine Test at ATP Event

Nick Kyrgios, the 31-year-old Australian tennis player and former Wimbledon finalist, announced via Instagram that he has been provisionally suspended from competition following a positive drug test. The failed test for cocaine occurred during the Mallorca Open in June, with results confirmed in mid-July after Kyrgios had already exited Wimbledon’s doubles draw.

In his statement, Kyrgios acknowledged the violation as a serious mistake and expressed remorse to his supporters, family members, sponsors, and particularly young fans who follow his career. He emphasized the difficulty of confronting a positive result and the broader challenges he has faced in recent years, acknowledging that the example set by his actions disappointed him deeply.

Kyrgios attributed his struggles to prolonged physical injuries that have sidelined him for extended periods, describing the mental and emotional toll of potentially nearing the end of his professional tennis career. He disclosed feelings of isolation and helplessness as his body failed to meet the demands he had set for himself throughout his playing life.

The provisional suspension was formally applied on August 4, with no appeal filed by Kyrgios. While penalties for cocaine use can reach four years, lighter sanctions are typically imposed—British player Dan Evans received a one-year ban after testing positive for the same substance at the 2017 Barcelona Open.

Kyrgios’ suspension came months after he publicly criticized fellow players Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek for their own 2024 doping violations, drawing attention to the broader anti-doping procedures within professional tennis.