Nick Kyrgios, one of the best-known names in Australian tennis in recent years, was provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine during a tournament played in Mallorca, Spain. The 31-year-old player confirmed the result this Wednesday (19) and assumed responsibility for the case.
Who is Nick Kyrgios, tennis player suspended after test showing cocaine use
Nick Kyrgios, one of the best-known names in Australian tennis in recent years, was provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine during a tournament played in Mallorca, Spain. The 31-year-old player confirmed the result this...
According to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), a laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed, on July 17, the presence of benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite of cocaine. The provisional suspension came into force on August 4.
- "I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine.
- I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it," Kyrgios said in an Instagram post.
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The sample was collected on June 22, during an ATP 250 tournament. According to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), a laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed, on July 17, the presence of benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite of cocaine. The provisional suspension came into force on August 4.
"I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine. I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it," Kyrgios said in an Instagram post.
The Australian apologized to his fans, family, sponsors and those close to him. He also addressed the message to the children who accompanied him and said he was disappointed with himself.
Kyrgios related the episode to the difficult period he has been facing in recent years, marked by physical problems and the prospect of approaching the end of his career. He emphasized, however, that the difficulties do not justify the test result.
The tennis player also stated that he will step away from social media and public life for 28 days to focus on his recovery. Until this Wednesday, he had not appealed the provisional suspension.
Who is Nick Kyrgios?
Nick Kyrgios gained international recognition at a young age. In 2014, at the age of 19, he defeated Rafael Nadal, then number 1 in the world, at Wimbledon and reached the quarterfinals of the British Grand Slam in his first participation in the tournament.
The Australian reached 13th position in the ATP rankings in 2016, the best position of his career. In singles, he won seven titles on the professional circuit.
His main individual Grand Slam result came in 2022, when he reached the Wimbledon final. Kyrgios was defeated by Novak Djokovic in four sets in the decider.
In the same year, he won a Grand Slam doubles title. Alongside fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, he won the 2022 Australian Open.
In recent years, Kyrgios has had his presence on the circuit reduced by a series of physical problems. In June 2026, he returned to compete in an ATP tournament after months of few appearances and participated in grass competitions before Wimbledon.
What happens after the positive test?
Cocaine is classified by the World Anti-Doping Agency as a stimulant and a substance of abuse and is prohibited during competitions under tennis anti-doping rules. When consumption occurs outside the competition period, the rules provide for specific treatment and the possibility of reduced sanctions.
Due to the identified substance, Kyrgios' provisional suspension is mandatory while the case follows the procedures set out in the Tennis Anti-Doping Program.
During this period, Australians cannot compete, train or attend events organized or sanctioned by the ATP, WTA, Grand Slam tournaments, world tennis bodies or national associations.
Kyrgios has the right to appeal the provisional suspension, but, according to the ITIA, he had not yet filed an appeal until the case was announced. In his public statement, the tennis player stated that he intends to work on his recovery before returning to public life.
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