Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios suspended after positive cocaine test

By Liam Tremblay — 19 August 2026 — 3 min read

Tennis player suspended after positive drug test

Nick Kyrgios, a former Wimbledon finalist, has been provisionally suspended from tennis following a positive test for cocaine. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed the suspension after a sample provided by Kyrgios during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. The presence of the banned stimulant was confirmed by a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) laboratory on July 17, and the provisional suspension has been in effect since August 4.

Kyrgios, an Australian, acknowledged his “huge mistake” in a public apology posted on Instagram. He stated that he takes full responsibility for the positive test. The 31-year-old athlete expressed regret to his fans, family, sponsors, and particularly to the children who follow him, acknowledging the negative example set by his actions.

Kyrgios addresses personal struggles

In his statement, Kyrgios provided context regarding his recent struggles, attributing them to the significant physical and mental toll taken by injuries over the past couple of years. He described feeling helpless and alone at times, noting the difficulty of coming to terms with the potential end of his career when his body has not been able to meet the demands of his mind.

He emphasized that while these challenges have been immense, they do not excuse his actions. Kyrgios stated that the incident has served as a “wake-up call.” He announced his intention to step away from social media and public life for 28 days to focus on his well-being, requesting privacy for himself and his family during this period. He concluded his message by stating, “I’ll do the work and come back better.”

Cocaine is categorized as a stimulant and a substance of abuse on the WADA Prohibited List. Its use is banned in competition under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. ITIA regulations mandate provisional suspensions for positive cocaine tests. However, Kyrgios retains the right to appeal the decision. The duration of the suspension will largely depend on whether the substance was consumed in or out of competition.

Impact of the suspension and past precedents

Under the terms of his provisional suspension, Kyrgios is prohibited from participating in, coaching at, or attending any events organized by World Tennis, WTA, ATP, the Grand Slams, or any national association. He has not appealed the provisional suspension.

WADA rules have seen changes since 2017 when British No 1 Dan Evans received a 12-month ban for a positive cocaine test during the Barcelona Open. Current regulations stipulate a three-month suspension for out-of-competition offences involving substances of abuse. This ban can be further reduced to one month if an athlete agrees to undertake an approved rehabilitation program, a path taken by South Africa fast bowler Kasigo Rabada after his positive cocaine test last year.

Kyrgios has been a notable figure in tennis, reaching a career-high world ranking of 13 in 2016 and making it to the Wimbledon final in 2022, where he was defeated by Novak Djokovic. In recent years, injuries have limited his appearances on the court. He has not competed in a Grand Slam since the 2025 Australian Open, though he did participate in a “Battle of the Sexes” event against Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai last December.

His injury setbacks have included wrist reconstruction and knee surgeries, resulting in him playing only 10 matches since the beginning of 2023. Kyrgios has previously expressed strong opinions on doping bans, criticizing what he perceived as lenient treatment in cases involving other players. He also revealed past struggles with mental health, including having suicidal thoughts in 2019 following a loss at Wimbledon.

Source: theguardian.com