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Nick Kyrgios breaks silence after being banned from tennis over cocaine test

Nick Kyrgios has spoken out after an anti-doping test result returned positive for cocaine amid the 31-year-old's fight to return to the tennis court amid years of injury struggles

[Nick Kyrgios has released a statement after an anti-doping test returned positive for cocaine]

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Nick Kyrgios has released a statement after an anti-doping test returned positive for cocaine(Image: Getty)

Tennis star Nick Kyrgios has broken his silence after being provisionally suspended following an anti-doping test that returned a positive result for cocaine.

The Australian provided a sample on June 22 while competing at the Mallorca Open. Testing later detected benzoylecgonine, a substance produced when the body breaks down cocaine. The former world No. 13 has been under a provisional suspension since Aug. 4, according to the International Tennis Integrity Agency.

The 31-year-old, considered one of tenniss Bad Boys of the current era, has dealt with his fair share of injury and personal struggles in recent years. Still, he had remained determined to return to the court until he admitted that retirement was near.

Kyrgios addressed the situation on Instagram, where he apologized to his supporters and sponsors and acknowledged that his actions were indefensible. 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, he said.

Im sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Above all, Im sorry to the kids who follow me. 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.

[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.]

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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.(Image: Getty)

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. 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.

Kyrgios has played just four singles matches this season after years of injury problems, including knee and wrist issues that have repeatedly kept him off the court.

[Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan interact 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.]

View 3 Images

Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan interact 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.(Image: Getty)

His latest appearance came in the Wimbledon doubles, where he and Alexander Bublik lost in the first round.

He also made headlines last December when he faced womens world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a Battle of the Sexes exhibition in Dubai.

Playing under modified rules, Kyrgios won 6-3, 6-3 in a match that drew plenty of attention and debate.

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