Nick Kyrgios has revealed that he has failed a medicine check after testing constructive for cocaine.
The previous Wimbledon finalist has endured a checkered few years after struggling persistent harm, and admitted that the toll they’ve taken on his profession gave ‘some context’ to his failed check.
‘I needed you to listen to it from me first,’ Kyrgios started his prolonged assertion on Instagram. ‘I lately failed a drug check in Mallorca after testing constructive for cocaine.
‘I made an enormous mistake and I take full accountability for it.
‘I’m sorry to my followers, my household, my sponsors, and everybody near me. Above all, I am sorry to the children who comply with me. I do know the instance this units and I am deeply upset in myself.
‘I am not going to make excuses, however I do need to give some context about the place I have been. The final couple of years of accidents have taken an enormous toll on me, each bodily and mentally. My physique hasn’t been in a position to do what my thoughts expects it to do, and coming to phrases with being close to the tip of my profession has been tougher than I ever imagined.
Nick Kyrgios has shared that he has failed a medicine check after testing constructive for cocaine
‘I’ve at all times mentioned I did not select tennis – tennis selected me. However letting go of one thing that has been my entire life is likely one of the hardest issues I’ve ever needed to face. At occasions I’ve felt helpless and alone.
‘None of that excuses what I did.
‘Nonetheless, the excellent news is that this has given me a get up name. For the following 28 days, I will be stepping away from social media and public life whereas I deal with getting myself proper.
‘I would ask that folks respect my privateness throughout that point, and most significantly the privateness of my household.
‘I am sorry. I will do the work and are available again higher. Nick’.
Kyrgios performed in Mallorca on the ATP 250 occasion in late June, dropping his singles match to fellow Australian Adam Walton in straight units on June 22.
The 31-year-old later withdrew from the doubles, the place he and accomplice John-Patrick Smith had been because of play Austin Krajicek and Nikola Mektic the next day.
Tennis’ integrity and anti-doping governing physique the ITIA have since introduced that Kyrgios has been handed a compulsory provisional suspension.
‘The Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company (ITIA) has provisionally suspended Australian tennis participant Nick Kyrgios beneath the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme,’ an announcement shared by the organisation learn.
’31-year-old Kyrgios offered a pattern throughout an ATP 250 occasion in Mallorca, Spain, on 22 June 2026. On 17 July 2026, a World Anti-Doping Company (WADA)-accredited laboratory confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.
‘Cocaine is a stimulant and substance of abuse on the WADA Prohibited Record and is banned in competitors beneath the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. If taken out of competitors, diminished sanctions apply for substances of abuse.
‘Due to the character of the substance, a provisional suspension is necessary and has been in place since 4 August 2026.
‘Kyrgios, who reached a career-high world singles rating of 13 in October 2016, has the proper to enchantment the provisional suspension, however has not achieved so so far.
‘As with all Tennis Anti-Doping Programme circumstances, ITIA assist is accessible to Kyrgios.
‘Whereas suspended, Kyrgios isn’t allowed to play in, coach at, or attend any occasions organised or sanctioned by World Tennis, WTA, ATP, the Grand Slams, or any nationwide affiliation.’
Earlier than his suspension, Kyrgios’ appearances on the tour had been restricted, with the flamable Australian star solely collaborating in a clutch of occasions because of his prohibitively excessive rating of 919.
Provided wildcards to play occasions in each singles and doubles, the previous world No13 has not gained a singles match since final 12 months’s Miami Open.
Testing constructive for cocaine utilization may carry a ban from the game for as much as two years, however there may be priority throughout the sport for a extra lenient punishment in mild of Kyrgios’ admittance that he did take the substance. The ban is also diminished if it was proved that the utilization of the drug was not for performance-enhancing advantages.
Former British star Dan Evans was handed a one-year ban in 2017 after testing constructive on the Barcelona Open after protecting the drug within the pocket of his washbag.
The Worldwide Tennis Federation accepted Evans’ clarification that he had turn into contaminated after the drug discovered its means onto his finger or medicine within the bag unintentionally.
Kyrgios’ case represents the second high-profile anti-doping revelation in tennis in current months, after 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova was handed a four-year ban in June for refusing to take a medicine check.
