Nick Kyrgios Provisionaly Suspended After Positive Cocaine Test

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) following a positive drug test for cocaine. The announcement came after Kyrgios publicly acknowledged the test results on his Instagram story, accepting full responsibility for his actions.

The suspension falls under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. ITIA confirmed that the 31-year-old Kyrgios provided a sample during an ATP 250 event held in Mallorca, Spain, on June 22, 2026. Subsequently, a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, on July 17, 2026.

Cocaine is classified as a substance of abuse by WADA and is prohibited during competition as per the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. If proven that the substance was used outside of competition, Kyrgios might receive a reduced sanction. As of now, he has not appealed the provisional suspension.

In his statement, Kyrgios expressed regret, stating, “I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it. 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.”

Kyrgios provided context for his situation, highlighting the impact of injuries over the past few years, which he said affected him both physically and mentally. “At times I’ve felt helpless and alone. None of that excuses what I did,” he noted.

Moving forward, Kyrgios announced that he will step away from social media and public life for 28 days to focus on personal improvement. He requested privacy for himself and his family during this period. “I’m sorry. I’ll do the work and come back better,” he concluded.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn