Kyrgios provisionally suspended after positive cocaine test at ATP event
Eurosport · Leon Imber · 2026-08-19T09:07:08+00:00 · nguồn gốc
Nick Kyrgios provisionally suspended from tennis after positive cocaine test at ATP Mallorca Championships
By Leon Imber
Former Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis activity after returning a metabolite of cocaine in an anti-doping test conducted at the Mallorca Championships in June. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed the decision on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old returned to the court in June after five months out, and competed in doubles alongside Alexander Bublik at Wimbledon in July.
"The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has provisionally suspended Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme," a statement read on Wednesday.
"31-year-old Kyrgios provided a sample during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca, Spain, on 22 June 2026. On 17 July 2026, a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine."
The ITIA said cocaine is a "substance of abuse on the WADA prohibited list" and banned in competition, but if taken outside of competition, reduced sanctions apply.
The body added that Kyrgios has the right to appeal the decision, but has not yet done so, and that support is available to the Australian.
It added: "While suspended, Kyrgios is not allowed to play in, coach at, or attend any events organised or sanctioned by World Tennis, WTA, ATP, the Grand Slams, or any national association."
Kyrgios issued a statement on Instagram confirming the decision, and said he took "full responsibility", while explaining the difficulties of injury issues which have prevented him from being able to regularly compete on the tour.
"I wanted you to hear this from me first," he said. "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. 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 l'm deeply disappointed in myself.
"I'm not going to make excuses, but I do want to give some context about where l've been. 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. I've always said I didn't choose tennis - tennis chose me.
"But letting go of something that has been my whole life is one of the hardest things I've ever had to face. At times l've felt helpless and alone.
"None of that excuses what I did. However, the good news is that this has given me a wake-up call.
"For the next 28 days, I'll be stepping away from social media and public life while I focus on getting myself right. I'd ask that people respect my privacy during that time, and most importantly the privacy of my family. I'm sorry. I'll do the work and come back better."
Kyrgios holds a career-high ranking of world No. 13, and has not competed in all four Grand Slams in a single season since 2017.
In 2022, he reached the final of Wimbledon - his deepest run at a major tournament. He was beaten by Novak Djokovic in four sets on Centre Court. Kyrgios also reached the quarter-finals of the US Open that year.
He has completed just four competitive singles matches this year, and also played at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown exhibition in Rio de Janeiro last month.
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