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Nick Kyrgios cocaine shame as tennis ace suspended and admits 'huge mistake'

Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine at the Mallorca Open, back in June

[Nick Kyrgios]

Nick Kyrgios has been suspended(Image: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Tennis ace Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from the sport after testing positive for cocaine.

Kyrgios, 31, tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, from a sample he provided during the Mallorca Open on June 22. In a statement on Instagram, the former Wimbledon finalist said: I wanted you to hear this from me first.

"I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine. I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it. Im sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Above all, Im sorry to the kids who follow me.

[Nick Kyrgios of Australia runs for the ball with partner Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan against Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic of Croatia during their Gentlemen's Doubles first round match on day three of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 01, 2026 in London, England. ]

Nick Kyrgios tested positive for cocaine(Image: Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)

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"I know the example this sets and Im deeply disappointed in myself. Im not going to make excuses, but I do want to give some context about where Ive been.

"The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both physically and mentally. My body hasnt been able to do what my mind expects it to do, and coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined.

Ive always said I didnt choose tennis tennis chose me. But letting go of something that has been my whole life is one of the hardest things Ive ever had to face. At times Ive felt helpless and alone. None of that excuses what I did.

[ Nick Kyrgios of Australia plays a backhand against Aryna Sabalenka (Not Pictured) during the Battle of the Sexes match between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios of Australia at Coca-Cola Arena on December 28, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates]

Nick Kyrgios shared a statement on social media(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

However, the good news is that this has given me a wake-up call. For the next 28 days, Ill be stepping away from social media and public life while I focus on getting myself right.

"Id ask that people respect my privacy during that time, and most importantly the privacy of my family. Im sorry. Ill do the work and come back better.

In a statement, the ITIA confirmed his suspension: "The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has provisionally suspended Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.

"Kyrgios provided a sample during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca, Spain, on 22 June 2026. On 17 July 2026, a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.

"Cocaine is a stimulant and substance of abuse on the WADA Prohibited List and is banned in competition under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. If taken out of competition, reduced sanctions apply for substances of abuse.

"Because of the nature of the substance, a provisional suspension is mandatory and has been in place since 4 August 2026. Kyrgios, who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 13 in October 2016, has the right to appeal the provisional suspension, but has not done so to date.

"As with all Tennis Anti-Doping Programme cases, ITIA support is available to Kyrgios. 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."

Kyrgios is a Wimbledon finalist - losing out in the 2022 edition - as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and US Open.

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