Former Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios disclosed on Wednesday that he had tested positive for cocaine, leading to his provisional suspension from the sport of tennis. The 31-year-old Australian, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2022 singles final, has participated in only two major tournaments since that time. As a result of a string of injuries, he currently holds the 919th position in the rankings.
Kyrgios took to social media to share the details of the incident, admitting, “I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine,” referencing a tournament at a lower level that took place in June. He acknowledged his error, stating, “I made a huge mistake and take full responsibility for it.” Cocaine is identified as a prohibited substance for doping during competitive events, and lesser penalties are possible when it is used outside of competitions.
The tennis player has openly discussed his battles with mental health concerns in the past, which have been exacerbated by alcohol consumption and drug usage. Kyrgios expressed the challenges he has faced in accepting the nearing conclusion of his career following two years of physical setbacks, saying, “At times I’ve felt helpless and alone. None of that excuses what I did.”
Despite his struggles, Kyrgios was granted a wild card entry to compete in the doubles event at Wimbledon last month, where he was eliminated in the opening round alongside partner Alexander Bublik. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) will handle the case, indicating that the player’s sample was collected on June 22, with the positive test being confirmed on July 17, subsequent to Kyrgios’ participation at Wimbledon.
A mandatory provisional suspension was enforced on August 4 and has not been challenged by Kyrgios, according to the ITIA.