MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from professional tennis after testing positive for cocaine during an anti-doping test at an ATP 250 tournament in Mallorca, Spain, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has confirmed.
The 31-year-old former Wimbledon finalist tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, following an in-competition sample collected on June 22 during the Mallorca tournament. The positive result was confirmed by a laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, leading the ITIA to impose a provisional suspension on Kyrgios from August 4.
Under the provisional suspension, Kyrgios is barred from competing, coaching or participating in tennis events sanctioned by the ATP, WTA, Grand Slam tournaments and other recognised tennis organisations. The ITIA said the suspension is mandatory under the applicable anti-doping rules following the positive test.
Kyrgios has the right to challenge the provisional suspension, but reports indicate that he has not appealed the decision. Instead, the Australian has publicly acknowledged the positive test and accepted responsibility for what he described as a major mistake.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Kyrgios apologised to his fans, family, sponsors and young people who look up to him. He said he took full responsibility for his actions and expressed regret over the circumstances that led to the anti-doping violation.
The tennis star also linked the incident to a difficult period in his personal and professional life. Kyrgios has endured persistent injuries in recent years, including problems that required wrist and knee surgeries, significantly limiting his ability to compete consistently since 2023.
According to his statement, the physical and emotional toll of those injuries contributed to feelings of helplessness and isolation as he confronted uncertainty over the future of his career. He said he had struggled with the possibility that his professional tennis career could be approaching its end.
Kyrgios has subsequently announced that he will step away from public life and social media for 28 days, saying the break will allow him to focus on getting himself back on track. He also asked for privacy for himself and his family during the period.
The suspension represents a significant setback for a player whose career has been repeatedly interrupted by injuries and controversies. Kyrgios rose to international prominence with his powerful serve, unconventional playing style and outspoken personality, eventually reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022.
His latest setback is particularly notable because of his previous public criticism of doping violations involving other players. The positive test has therefore generated considerable reaction within tennis circles and among fans who have followed his career.
The ITIA’s announcement does not mean that Kyrgios has received a final period of ineligibility. The current measure is a provisional suspension imposed while the anti-doping case proceeds under the relevant rules. The eventual outcome could depend on the circumstances surrounding the violation and any subsequent proceedings.
The timing of the suspension also comes at a difficult stage in Kyrgios’ playing career. His appearances on the professional circuit have become increasingly limited because of injuries, although he returned to compete at major events and recently featured at Wimbledon in doubles.
For Australian tennis, the development represents another unexpected chapter in the career of one of the country’s most recognisable players. Kyrgios has attracted both strong support and criticism throughout his career, with his talent often accompanied by controversy on and off the court.
The positive test is now likely to place renewed attention on anti-doping rules in professional tennis and the distinction between an in-competition positive test and recreational drug use outside competition. Cocaine is prohibited during competition under the applicable anti-doping regulations, making the circumstances of the sample particularly important to the case.
For now, Kyrgios remains provisionally suspended and cannot participate in sanctioned tennis activities. The Australian has chosen not to publicly contest the finding at this stage, instead acknowledging the violation and stepping away from public life.
As the case develops, attention will focus on whether Kyrgios appeals the suspension, what final disciplinary measures may follow and whether the latest setback will affect his plans to continue his professional tennis career. For a player already battling serious physical and emotional challenges, the positive test has added another difficult chapter to an unusually turbulent career.
