Nick Kyrgios suspended after positive cocaine test at Mallorca Open

Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine. A sample collected from the Australian at the Mallorca Open on 22 June contained benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of the substance, and the suspension took effect on 4 August.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency has confirmed that Kyrgios can challenge the provisional decision, although no appeal had been filed by 19 August. While the suspension remains in place, the 31-year-old cannot compete, coach or attend Grand Slam tournaments or other events approved by the men’s and women’s tours. Cocaine is listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency as both a stimulant and a substance of abuse. Rules allow reduced penalties for some out-of-competition positives, but Kyrgios provided his sample during a tournament in which he played.

Kyrgios acknowledged the offence in an Instagram post, accepting responsibility and describing it as a major error. He apologised to his supporters, family, sponsors and the children who look up to him, while saying he understood the example his conduct created. He also said he would withdraw from social media and public life for 28 days while concentrating on his wellbeing.

The suspension comes during a difficult period in his career. Kyrgios has played only four singles matches this season after dealing with knee and wrist problems in recent years. At the Mallorca Open, he was eliminated in the opening round by Adam Walton. His most recent appearance came in the Wimbledon men’s doubles, where he and Alexander Bublik also lost in the first round.

Kyrgios has won seven ATP singles titles and reached the 2022 Wimbledon final, where Novak Djokovic defeated him in four sets. He also won the 2022 Australian Open men’s doubles title with Thanasi Kokkinakis. The former world number 13 has previously spoken about serious mental-health difficulties, including suicidal thoughts and treatment at a psychiatric hospital in London after Wimbledon in 2019.

His career has also included repeated disciplinary incidents, including fines for racquet destruction, audible obscenities and disputes with officials. He admitted in 2023 to assaulting a former girlfriend but avoided a criminal conviction. Kyrgios had also attacked the handling of doping cases involving Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek before facing a provisional suspension of his own. A tribunal will determine the next stage of the case.