Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios, a former Wimbledon finalist, disclosed on Wednesday that he tested positive for cocaine and subsequently received a provisional suspension from the sport. The 31-year-old athlete, who faced Novak Djokovic in the 2022 singles final, has participated in only two Grand Slam tournaments since then, leading to a current ranking of 919th due to a string of injuries.
Kyrgios took to social media to share the details of his situation, admitting to failing a drug test in Mallorca where he tested positive for cocaine during a lower-level tournament in June. Acknowledging his error, he stated, “I made a huge mistake and take full responsibility for it.” Cocaine is prohibited as a doping substance during competitions, with varying sanctions applicable when used outside of official events.
Having previously grappled with mental health challenges exacerbated by alcohol and drug consumption, Kyrgios expressed the difficulty of accepting the potential conclusion of his career following two years of injury setbacks. Despite feeling helpless and isolated at times, he emphasized that this did not justify his actions.
Recently, Kyrgios participated in the Wimbledon doubles event with partner Alexander Bublik, receiving a wild card entry but exiting in the first round. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) will oversee the case, revealing that Kyrgios’ sample was collected on June 22 and the positive test was confirmed on July 17, post his Wimbledon appearance. A mandatory provisional suspension was imposed on August 4, which Kyrgios has not contested, as confirmed by the ITIA.