Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios, a former Wimbledon finalist, disclosed on Wednesday that he tested positive for cocaine, leading to his provisional suspension from the sport. Following his defeat by Novak Djokovic in the 2022 singles final, the 31-year-old has participated in only two Grand Slam tournaments due to various injuries, resulting in his current ranking at 919th place. Kyrgios took to social media to admit to failing a drug test in Mallorca, where he tested positive for cocaine during a lower-level tournament in June, acknowledging his error and accepting full responsibility for his actions.
Competitive regulations prohibit the use of cocaine as a doping substance during tournaments, with lesser penalties applicable when used outside of competition. Kyrgios has openly shared his battles with mental health, worsened by alcohol and drug misuse, expressing the challenges of coping with the realization that his tennis career may be nearing its conclusion after enduring two years of physical setbacks. Despite feelings of helplessness and isolation at times, Kyrgios emphasized that his struggles do not justify his recent transgression.
In a recent Wimbledon appearance, Kyrgios received a wild card to compete in the doubles event alongside partner Alexander Bublik but was eliminated in the initial round. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) will oversee the case, confirming that Kyrgios’ sample was collected on June 22, with the positive test results confirmed on July 17, following his Wimbledon participation. An obligatory provisional suspension was imposed on August 4, which Kyrgios has not contested, as confirmed by the ITIA.