Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios made a public announcement on Wednesday disclosing his positive drug test result for cocaine, leading to his provisional suspension from professional tennis. The 31-year-old Australian, who faced Novak Djokovic in the 2022 singles final, has participated in only two Grand Slam tournaments following a string of injuries, resulting in his current ranking at 919th place.
Kyrgios shared the details of his drug test failure on social media, admitting to testing positive for cocaine during a lower-tier tournament in Mallorca in June. He took full responsibility for his actions, acknowledging his significant error. Cocaine is prohibited as a doping substance during competitive events, with varying sanctions applicable if used outside of competitions.
Having previously battled mental health issues exacerbated by alcohol and drug consumption, Kyrgios confessed to struggling with the realization that his tennis career is nearing its end due to prolonged injuries over the past two years. Despite feeling isolated and despondent at times, he emphasized that these challenges do not justify his misconduct.
Recently, Kyrgios received a wild card to compete in the doubles event at Wimbledon alongside partner Alexander Bublik but was eliminated in the initial round. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) will oversee the case, confirming that Kyrgios’ sample was collected on June 22, with the positive test outcome verified on July 17 post his Wimbledon appearance.
An immediate provisional suspension was enforced on August 4, which Kyrgios has not contested, as per the ITIA’s statement. The agency continues to investigate the matter to ensure integrity and fairness in professional tennis.