Former Wimbledon runner-up, Nick Kyrgios, announced on Wednesday that he had tested positive for cocaine and was temporarily banned from tennis. The 31-year-old Australian, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2022 singles final, 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 disclose the details of the incident, admitting to failing a drug test in Mallorca for cocaine after an occurrence at a minor tournament in June. He acknowledged his mistake, stating, “I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine. I made a huge mistake and take full responsibility for it.”
Competitors are prohibited from using cocaine as a performance-enhancing substance during tournaments, with lesser penalties applicable for off-event usage. Kyrgios, who has publicly discussed his mental health challenges exacerbated by alcohol and drug misuse, expressed the difficulty he faced in accepting the nearing end of his career after battling injuries for two years. Despite feeling helpless and isolated at times, he emphasized that it did not justify his actions. Recently, Kyrgios received a wild card to participate in the Wimbledon doubles event alongside partner Alexander Bublik, but they were eliminated in the opening round.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) will handle the case, revealing that Kyrgios’ sample was collected on June 22, and the positive test results were confirmed on July 17, following his Wimbledon appearance. A mandatory provisional suspension was enforced on August 4, which Kyrgios has not contested, according to the ITIA.
