Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from professional tennis after testing positive for cocaine during a June tournament in Mallorca, Spain. The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed the positive test on Wednesday, as the 31-year-old Australian admitted to making a huge mistake while dealing with severe injuries.
Tennis star Nick Kyrgios faces a mandatory provisional suspension after testing positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, according to the International Tennis Integrity Agency. The sample was provided during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca on 22 June 2026, and a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory confirmed the result on 17 July 2026. A mandatory provisional suspension has been in place since 4 August 2026.
The suspension bars the 31-year-old from playing, coaching, or attending events organized or sanctioned by World Tennis, the WTA, ATP, Grand Slams, or any national association. While Kyrgios holds the right to appeal the provisional suspension under ITIA regulations, he has not yet done so.
Kyrgios Admits Responsibility and Cites Injury Toll
In a public statement released on Instagram, Kyrgios acknowledged the failed test and took full responsibility for the violation.
“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.”
Nick Kyrgios, Tennis player, via The Guardian
He expanded on the personal challenges he has faced during a prolonged period away from regular competition, noting that recent injuries have taken a heavy physical and mental toll. His ranking has plummeted to 919th after playing just four matches in 2026, hampered by wrist and knee injuries that followed a full wrist reconstruction in September 2023.
“The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both physically and mentally. My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do, and coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined.”
Nick Kyrgios, Tennis player, via Nypost
Reflecting on his relationship with the sport, Kyrgios added, I’ve always said I don’t choose tennis — tennis chose me
. He spoke about feeling helpless and alone while confronting the prospect of retirement, though he emphasized that these struggles do not excuse his actions.
Antidoping Rules and Potential Sanctions
Under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, cocaine is classified as a stimulant and substance of abuse on the WADA Prohibited List, making it strictly banned in competition. Because cocaine is categorized this way, provisional suspensions are mandatory upon a confirmed positive test.
The ultimate length of the ban will depend on whether the substance was consumed in competition or out of competition, as well as whether the athlete can establish how the substance entered their system. According to The Guardian, WADA rules stipulate a standard three-month suspension for out-of-competition offenses, which can be reduced to one month if the athlete agrees to complete an approved rehabilitation program. Past high-profile tennis cocaine cases have seen varying outcomes, including a 12-month ban for Britain’s Dan Evans in 2017 and a successful contamination defense mounted by France’s Richard Gasquet in 2009 via the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Apology to Fans and Next Steps
Beyond his apology to family, sponsors, and supporters, Kyrgios expressed specific regret regarding younger fans who follow his career, acknowledging the negative example set by the failed test.
“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.”
Nick Kyrgios, Tennis player, via KOMO
To address the situation, Kyrgios announced that he will step away from social media and public life for a period of 28 days to focus on his well-being. The International Tennis Integrity Agency will manage the ongoing prosecution of the case as the sport awaits a final disciplinary decision.
