Nick Kyrgios Suspended From Tennis After Testing Positive for Cocaine
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) confirmed on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, that the 31-year-old former Wimbledon finalist is currently under provisional suspension. The suspension took effect on August 4, after a sample collected from Kyrgios on June 22 tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. The result was confirmed by a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory on July 17.
Kyrgios has accepted responsibility for the failed drug test and admitted that he made a “huge mistake.” In a statement shared on social media, the Australian apologised to his fans, family, sponsors and young people who look up to him.
The tennis star said the past two years had been extremely difficult because of persistent injuries that required wrist and knee surgeries. He explained that the physical and mental toll of those injuries had made it difficult for him to deal with the possibility that his tennis career could be coming to an end.
Kyrgios stressed, however, that his struggles did not excuse his actions. He said the failed test had served as a major wake-up call and that he was deeply disappointed in himself.
The former world No. 13 has also decided not to appeal the provisional suspension. Under the current suspension, he is prohibited from participating in professional tennis activities while the case proceeds.
The development is particularly notable because Kyrgios has previously been outspoken about doping in tennis. He strongly criticised other players involved in previous doping cases and argued that the sport needed tougher action against drug violations.
Kyrgios reached the Wimbledon singles final in 2022, where he lost to Novak Djokovic. However, injuries have severely limited his career in recent years, with the Australian playing only a small number of competitive matches since 2023.
In his latest statement, Kyrgios announced that he would step away from public life and social media for 28 days to focus on himself and his recovery. He also asked fans and the public to respect his privacy during the period.
The current suspension is provisional, meaning the final disciplinary outcome has not yet been determined. The case could therefore result in further sanctions depending on the outcome of the proceedings.
