Audio By Carbonatix
Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine.
The Australian submitted a sample during the Mallorca Open on 22 June that was later found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.
Former world number 13 Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended, external since 4 August.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency said Kyrgios could appeal against the provisional suspension "but has not done so to date".
In a post on Instagram, Kyrgios said he made "a huge mistake" and takes "full responsibility" for it.
Under the suspension, Kyrgios cannot play, coach at or attend Grand Slams or any events sanctioned by the men's and women's tennis tours pending the outcome of a tribunal.
The 31-year-old has played just four singles matches this season, having struggled with knee and wrist injuries in recent years.
He last played in the men's doubles at Wimbledon, where he and partner Alexander Bublik lost in the first round.
In a lengthy statement on Instagram, Kyrgios said the last few years of injuries had taken "a huge toll on me, both mentally and physically".
"My body hasn't been able to do what my mind expects it to do," he wrote.
"Coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined.
"None of that excuses what I did."
Kyrgios said he would be stepping away from social media and public life for the next 28 days to "focus on getting myself right".
Cocaine is classified as a stimulant and substance of abuse on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list.
Reduced sanctions apply for athletes who test positive for the substance out of competition.
However, Kyrgios' sample was submitted during a tournament in which he played singles, ultimately losing in the first round to Adam Walton.
"I'm sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me," Kyrgios added.
"Above all, I'm sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I'm deeply disappointed in myself."
Kyrgios has long been a controversial figure in tennis.
His behaviour on court has been widely criticised and he has been given numerous large fines for smashing racquets, making audible obscenities and arguing with the umpire.
In 2023, he admitted assaulting an ex-girlfriend two years earlier. He avoided a criminal conviction.
He was criticised further for making a series of comments which have been considered misogynistic.
In 2024 he shared a post from controversial influencer Andrew Tate. He later said he had gone "to all lengths" to distance himself from the self-proclaimed misogynist.
Kyrgios was also critical of the handling of two high-profile anti-doping cases involving top players Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, calling them "disgusting" for tennis.
Kyrgios has won seven ATP Tour singles titles and reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, losing in four sets to Novak Djokovic.
He and compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis won the Australian Open men's doubles title together in 2022.
Kyrgios has also spoken about his struggles with mental health, saying he "genuinely contemplated" suicide and spent time in a psychiatric hospital in London after losing at Wimbledon in 2019.
Latest Stories
-
Audit Service recovers GH¢24.95m in unearned salaries, irregular payments – GACC
2 minutes -
Nobody is saying there hasn’t been losses, but be factual about it – Sammy Gyamfi to critics
5 minutes -
Santasi commercial drivers park vehicles to protest arrests over GH¢1 fare increase
14 minutes -
Ghana’s anti-corruption gains threatened by weak enforcement, funding gaps – GACC
15 minutes -
Kontomire has higher nutritional value than spinach, broccoli – Dietician
16 minutes -
OSP saves GH¢5.73bn, secures seven convictions in 2025 – GACC
17 minutes -
GoldBod did not cause BoG’s $1.7bn loss – Sammy Gyamfi challenges IMF claims
22 minutes -
Work through the night to finish Tema Motorway by 2027 – Agbodza to contractor
23 minutes -
Prolonged cooking can destroy essential nutrients in vegetables, other foods – Dietician
23 minutes -
PPI increases to 4.0% in July 2026, indicates moderate strengthening of price pressures
24 minutes -
Ghana Immigration Service Council approves new policies to accelerate reset agenda
24 minutes -
Ghana’s anti-corruption gains fail to reduce corruption risks – GACC
25 minutes -
Ghanaians should choose local, high fibre foods to manage blood sugar – Dietician
27 minutes -
$1.7bn GoldBod loss claim is ‘barefaced lie’ – Sammy Gyamfi
28 minutes -
Food producers must improve presentation of local foods to attract consumers – Chef
28 minutes