appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Agencies

Former Wimbledon finalist Nick ⁠Kyrgios was provisionally suspended from tennis on Wednesday after testing positive for cocaine, with the volatile Australian owning up to his “huge mistake” in a public apology.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced the suspension of the 31-year-old following a positive test for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, from a sample taken during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June.
Kyrgios, who reached a career-high rank of 13, has been provisionally suspended ‌since August 4 after a World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) laboratory confirmed the presence of the banned stimulant on July 17.
“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,” Kyrgios said on Instagram.
“I’m sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself.”

Cocaine is classified as a stimulant and substance of abuse on the Wada Prohibited List and is banned in competition under tennis ⁠anti-doping rules.
Boasting a big serve and booming groundstrokes, Kyrgios has won seven singles titles on the ATP Tour and rose to a high of 13 in the world in 2016.
His finest performance was on the grass at Wimbledon in 2022, when he reached the championship match, losing in four sets to Novak Djokovic.
Physical and mental toll
Despite his natural talents, that was as good as it got, with a series of injuries taking their toll.
He is now ranked No 919 and has barely played in singles tennis in recent years.
His most recent appearance came at Wimbledon earlier this year, when he teamed up with Alexander Bublik in the doubles draw, where the pair ‌were beaten in the opening round.
In January, he admitted he would never be the player that he once was.
Kyrgios is one of the few players to have recorded tour-level wins over the “Big Four” of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray.
But the success on court came with huge problems off it, including severe injuries to his right elbow, left wrist, hip, knees, shoulders and collarbone.
He has had numerous surgeries, the most serious a complete reconstruction of his right wrist in 2024.
Kyrgios said he made no excuses but painted a picture of a player struggling with the twilight of his career, citing the mental toll ‌of recent injuries.
“I do want to give some context about where I’ve been. The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both physically and mentally,” he added.
“My body hasn’t 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.
“I’ve always ⁠said I didn’t choose tennis – tennis ⁠chose me. But letting go of something that has been my whole life is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face. At times I’ve felt helpless and alone.”

No appeal from Kyrgios
While suspended, Kyrgios cannot play in, coach at, or attend any events organised by World Tennis, WTA, ATP, the grand slams or any ⁠national association.
The Australian has not appealed against the provisional suspension and said he would step away from social media and public life for 28 days to “focus ⁠on getting myself right”.
“I’m sorry. I’ll do the work and come back better,” he concluded.
Kyrgios had previously been quite vocal about doping bans, saying the incidents involving Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek were “disgusting” for the sport while slamming authorities over what he saw as lenient treatment in their cases.
Sinner ‌failed two drug tests in 2024 for ‌trace amounts of the anabolic androgenic steroid clostebol and served a three-month ban, but was cleared of any wrongdoing, while Swiatek accepted a one-month ban after a positive test for hormone and metabolic modulator trimetazidine.
“Two world No 1s both getting done for doping is disgusting for our sport. It’s a horrible look,” Kyrgios had said.
He also admitted having suicidal thoughts in 2019 after a second-round loss to Nadal at Wimbledon, revealing that he “ended up in a psych ward in London” to figure out his problems.


Meet Grigor Dimitrov, the Bulgarian tennis player dating 3 Body Problem star Eiza Gonzalez

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios admits ‘huge mistake’ after failing test for cocaine

Hong Kong tennis chief says city getting bang for buck from hosting WTA, ATP events

Tennis players’ group says arm injuries up over 100%, calls for shorter season

ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

Nick Kyrgios, seen here at the Brisbane International tournament in December 2024, has won seven ATP singles titles and rose to a high of world No 13 in 2016. Photo: AFP

Nick Kyrgios’ best grand slam performance was losing to Novak Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final. Photo: Xinhua

Nick Kyrgios, seen here partnering Thanasi Kokkinakis (left) at the Australian Open in January, has played little singles in recent years. Photo: AFP

The Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open at Victoria Park is an ATP 250 event. Photo: Hong Kong, China Tennis Association 

 Michael Cheng says the rise in injuries is due more to the changing nature of the sport. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong star Coleman Wong (right) taking on Richard Gasquet in an Ultimate Tennis Showdown match at Kai Tak Arena last year. Photo: Eugene Lee

Zion Suzuki: From Asian Cup racism to World Cup star and Premier League history man

The commanding Zion Suzuki claims posession during Japan’s 1-1 World Cup draw with Sweden this summer. Photo: Getty Images

Zion Suzuki playing in Japan’s Asian Cup defeat by Iraq in 2024 that led to his being targeted by racists. Photo: Reuters

Emiliano Martinez, here with his 2022 World Cup Golden Glove, is set to exit Aston Villa. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Tennis

Wimbledon finalist, provisionally suspended after testing positive after an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June, takes ‘full responsibility’


Wimbledon finalist, provisionally suspended after testing positive after an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June, takes ‘full responsibility’.


Doping in sport

Drugs

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios admits ‘huge mistake’ after failing test for cocaine

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Wimbledon finalist, provisionally suspended after testing positive after an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June, takes ‘full responsibility’

Wimbledon finalist, provisionally suspended after testing positive after an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June, takes ‘full responsibility’