Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from the sport after testing positive for cocaine during the Mallorca Open in June 2026.
The 31-year-old Greek-Australian, a former world number 13, provided a sample on June 22 that revealed the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. The test was conducted during his participation in the ATP grass-court tournament in Spain.
Provisional Suspension Terms
According to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), the provisional suspension took effect on August 4. Kyrgios has the right to appeal against the decision, but he has not done so to date.
While the sanction remains active, Kyrgios is forbidden from competing, coaching, or attending any Grand Slam tournaments or official events sanctioned by the professional men's and women's tennis tours.
Instagram Statement and Apology
Kyrgios confirmed the failed test in a message posted to Instagram, where he took full responsibility for what he called a huge mistake. He apologized to his supporters, family, sponsors, and especially the children who follow his career, acknowledging that he had set a poor example and was deeply disappointed in himself.
The Australian explained that while he was not making excuses, his decision came after two years of physical and mental exhaustion brought on by persistent injuries. He wrote that his body could no longer meet the expectations of his mind, making it painful to accept that he was approaching the end of his career.
Kyrgios added that leaving behind tennis, a sport he felt chose him, was one of the hardest experiences of his life and had left him feeling helpless and alone. However, he described the positive test as a powerful wake-up call and announced he would step away from social media and public life for 28 days to focus on himself, requesting privacy for his family and promising to return as a better person.
Injury Struggles and Career Context
Kyrgios has struggled with recurring wrist and knee injuries in recent years, limiting him to just four singles matches during the current season. At the Mallorca Open in June, he was eliminated in the first round of the singles tournament by fellow Australian Adam Walton.
His most recent appearance on court was in the men's doubles draw at Wimbledon, where he partnered with Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik and lost in the opening round.
Anti-Doping Regulations on Cocaine
Cocaine is categorized by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as a prohibited stimulant and a substance of abuse. Under anti-doping regulations, reduced bans may be granted when a positive test occurs out of competition, but Kyrgios provided his positive sample during competition at the tournament in Mallorca.
