Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from professional tennis after testing positive for cocaine, according to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA); Kyrgios confirmed the news on social media, taking full responsibility for the incident. He apologized to fans, family, sponsors, and especially to young fans who look up to him.

Admitting the Mistake and Offering Context

“I wanted you to hear this from me first,” Kyrgios wrote on Instagram, but “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.” The 31-year-old also acknowledged the challenges he has faced over the past two years, including injuries and the emotional toll of potentially nearing the end of his career.

“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,” he said. He added that stepping away from tennis, which had been his life, was one of the hardest things he had to face.

Details of the Provisional Suspension

The ITIA confirmed the suspension but did not specify its length, noting that it would depend on whether the substance was taken in or out of competition. The positive test occurred during the Mallorca Championships 2026, where Kyrgios competed in singles but lost in the first round to Adam Walton.

The test sample, taken on June 22, revealed traces of benzoylecgonin, a metabolite of cocaine, though According to Todo Alicante, Kyrgios has the right to appeal the suspension but has not done so as of yet. During the suspension period, he is barred from playing, coaching, or attending any ATP events or Grand Slams.

Comparisons and Precedents

Previous cases have shown varying penalties for similar offenses; In 2017, British player Dan Evans received a 12-month ban after testing positive for cocaine during the Barcelona Open. However, World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) rules have since changed, stipulating a three-month suspension for out-of-competition violations, according to The Guardian.

Kyrgios also mentioned that for the next 28 days, he will step away from social media and public life to focus on personal recovery, but he urged people to respect his and his family’s privacy during that time and pledged to “do the work and come back better.”

His recent struggles have been compounded by physical issues, including knee and wrist problems, which have limited his participation in the 2024 season, as reported by T-Online.