Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios, a former Wimbledon finalist, disclosed on Wednesday that he had tested positive for cocaine, leading to his provisional suspension from the sport. Kyrgios, 31 years old, faced Novak Djokovic in the 2022 singles final but has participated in only two Grand Slam tournaments since then. Following a string of injuries, he is currently ranked 919th in the world.
Kyrgios took to social media to share the details of his situation, admitting, “I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine during a lower-level tournament in June. I acknowledge my significant error and accept full responsibility for it.” Cocaine is prohibited as a performance-enhancing substance during competitions, with varying penalties applicable when used outside of events.
The tennis player has openly discussed his mental health struggles, which have been exacerbated by alcohol and substance abuse. Kyrgios expressed the challenges he has faced in accepting the potential end of his career due to prolonged injuries, stating, “There have been moments where I’ve felt powerless and isolated. However, none of that justifies my actions.”
Despite his recent suspension, Kyrgios received a wild card to compete in the doubles event at Wimbledon last month, partnering with Alexander Bublik but losing in the opening round. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) will handle the case, revealing that Kyrgios’ sample was collected on June 22, with the positive result confirmed on July 17, post his participation at Wimbledon.
A mandatory provisional suspension was imposed on August 4, which Kyrgios has not contested. The ITIA continues to investigate the matter.