The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) placed Nick Kyrgios under provisional suspension on August 4 after a sample he provided at the Mallorca ATP event on June 22 tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. A World Anti‑Doping Agency‑accredited laboratory confirmed the finding on July 17. While the provisional suspension bars Kyrgios from playing, coaching at or attending events sanctioned by the ATP, WTA, Grand Slams or national associations, he retains the right to appeal the suspension. The ITIA said he had not lodged an appeal as of its announcement.
Kyrgios, 31, issued an apology on social media acknowledging the positive test and saying he had made “a huge mistake,” took full responsibility, and would withdraw from public life and social media for 28 days to focus on his wellbeing. He framed the episode in the context of prolonged injury problems that he said had taken a toll physically and mentally and noted regret for the example his actions might set for young fans.
Cocaine is prohibited in competition under anti‑doping rules; athletes sometimes receive reduced sanctions for substances of abuse when they can show use occurred out of competition and was unrelated to performance. The case will proceed through the standard anti‑doping process, with any final sanction to be determined following those proceedings. Kyrgios has not competed frequently this season and has publicly discussed past mental‑health struggles and multiple injuries during his career, which includes seven ATP singles titles and a run to the 2022 Wimbledon final.
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