Nick Kyrgios provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine
Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine during an ATP tournament in Mallorca, Spain. The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed that Kyrgios provided a sample on June 22, which a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory later confirmed on July 17 to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. The provisional suspension has been in effect since August 4. Kyrgios, 31, acknowledged the positive test in an Instagram statement, taking full responsibility for his actions and apologizing to his fans, family, sponsors, and young supporters. He attributed the mistake to difficult years marked by injuries that affected him physically and mentally, making it hard to accept the potential end of his career, though he stressed these struggles do not excuse his actions. Under the suspension, Kyrgios is barred from participating in or attending professional tennis events while his case is pending. He has played only four singles matches this season due to injuries. Kyrgios, a former world number 13, reached the Wimbledon singles final in 2022 and won the 2022 Australian Open men’s doubles title. He stated he would step away from social media for 28 days to focus on his wellbeing.
