Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine.
The 31-year-old submitted a sample during the Mallorca Open on 22 June, which was later found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended since 4 August.
The former world number 13 has the right to appeal the suspension, although the ITIA said he had not done so at the time of its statement.
Kyrgios acknowledged the positive test in an Instagram statement, describing his actions as “a huge mistake” and saying he takes “full responsibility” for what happened.
Under the provisional suspension, Kyrgios is barred from competing in, coaching at or attending Grand Slam tournaments and other events sanctioned by the men’s and women’s professional tennis tours until the case is resolved by a tribunal.
Kyrgios has played only four singles matches this season as he continues to deal with knee and wrist injuries that have disrupted his career in recent years. His most recent appearance came at Wimbledon, where he partnered Alexander Bublik in the men’s doubles but lost in the first round.
In his statement, Kyrgios said his prolonged injury problems had taken a significant mental and physical toll.
“My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do,” he wrote, adding that accepting he could be approaching the end of his career had been more difficult than he imagined.
“None of that excuses what I did,” he said.
Kyrgios also announced that he would step away from social media and public life for 28 days to focus on his wellbeing.
Cocaine is classified by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as a stimulant and substance of abuse. Athletes can receive reduced sanctions when cocaine is detected from an out-of-competition sample, but Kyrgios’ sample was collected during a tournament in which he competed. He lost his singles match at the Mallorca Open to fellow Australian Adam Walton in the first round.
“I’m sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me,” Kyrgios said.
“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 has been one of tennis’ most controversial figures throughout his career. He has received numerous fines for incidents including racquet smashing, audible obscenities and arguments with officials.
In 2023, he admitted assaulting a former girlfriend in an incident that occurred two years earlier but avoided a criminal conviction.
He has also faced criticism over comments described as misogynistic. In 2024, he shared a post from controversial influencer Andrew Tate before later saying he had taken significant steps to distance himself from Tate.
Kyrgios has also been outspoken about anti-doping cases involving Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, criticising the way the cases were handled.
Despite the controversies, Kyrgios has enjoyed significant success on court. He has won seven ATP Tour singles titles and reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in four sets.
In 2022, he and compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis also won the Australian Open men’s doubles title.
Kyrgios has previously spoken openly about his mental health struggles. He revealed that he had “genuinely contemplated” suicide and spent time in a psychiatric hospital in London following his Wimbledon defeat in 2019.
The outcome of the current anti-doping case will determine whether Kyrgios faces further sanctions or is cleared to return to professional tennis.