Nick Kyrgios provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine, admits ‘huge mistake’

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios was provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine from a sample taken at an ATP event in Mallorca on June 22, 2026, the International Tennis Integrity Agency said. The ITIA said a WADA-accredited laboratory confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, on July 17, 2026.

The 31-year-old has won seven singles titles on the ATP Tour and reached a career-high ranking of 13 in 2016. He is best known for a powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes.

Kyrgios's standout run on grass came at Wimbledon in 2022, when he reached the championship match and lost in four sets to Novak Djokovic. He is also among the few players to have recorded tour-level wins over the so-called "Big Four" of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Kyrgios is now ranked 919 and has barely played in singles in recent years. In January, he admitted he would never be the player that he once was.

Mr. Kyrgios wrote on Instagram that he took "full responsibility." "I made a huge mistake," he wrote. "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 I’m deeply disappointed in myself," Mr. Kyrgios said.

The article states he has suffered a series of injuries, including problems with his right elbow, left wrist, hip, knees, shoulders and collarbone, and that he has had numerous surgeries, the most serious being a complete reconstruction of his right wrist in 2024. On August 19, he said that the injuries had taken "a huge toll on me both physically and mentally." "None of that excuses what I did," he said of his failed test. "However the good news is that this has given me a wake-up call. I’m sorry, I’ll do the work and come back better."

The ITIA said the suspension had been in place since August 4. "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."