Nick Kyrgios, the Australian tennis player known for his controversial presence on and off the court, has been handed a one-month suspension after testing positive for cocaine. The 31-year-old's ban comes after he was provisionally suspended on August 4, following a positive test during the Mallorca Open held in June.
The substance detected in Kyrgios's sample was benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. According to reports, Kyrgios admitted to investigators from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that he consumed the drug during a night out before his scheduled match at the tournament.
After consulting with an independent expert, the ITIA concluded that Kyrgios had used cocaine outside of competition, which led to a reduction of his potential three-month ban to just one month after he entered a treatment program. His suspension officially concluded on September 3, allowing him to return to the sport.
As a result of this incident, Kyrgios will also forfeit any prize money and ranking points earned during the Mallorca Open, where he was eliminated in the first round. This has further impacted his standing in the ATP rankings, where he has now dropped to 918th place. The former world number 13 has had a challenging year, competing in only four singles matches so far, largely due to ongoing knee and wrist injuries.
Kyrgios's last appearance on the court was in the men's doubles at Wimbledon, where he and his partner, Alexander Bublik, were defeated in the first round. Following the announcement of his suspension, Kyrgios expressed his intention to step away from social media and the public eye for 28 days to focus on his well-being.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Kyrgios reflected on the toll that injuries have taken on him, both mentally and physically. He acknowledged the difficulties of coming to terms with the possibility of nearing the end of his career, stating, "My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do." He emphasized that while he is facing personal challenges, they do not excuse his actions.
Cocaine is classified as a stimulant and is listed as a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Kyrgios's history in the sport has been marked by controversy, including frequent fines for disruptive behavior, such as smashing racquets and arguing with officials. His candidness about his struggles with mental health has also drawn attention, as he previously disclosed contemplating suicide and spending time in a psychiatric hospital following a defeat at Wimbledon in 2019.
Despite his challenges, Kyrgios has achieved notable success in his career, including seven ATP Tour singles titles and a memorable run to the Wimbledon final in 2022, where he lost to Novak Djokovic. He also secured the men's doubles title at the Australian Open in 2022 alongside compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis. As Kyrgios prepares for his return to tennis, the focus will be on how he navigates the path ahead amid ongoing scrutiny and personal challenges.
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