Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios, a former Wimbledon finalist, announced that he recently tested positive for cocaine, leading to his provisional suspension from the sport. Following his defeat by Novak Djokovic in the 2022 singles final, Kyrgios has participated in only two Grand Slam tournaments due to various injuries, resulting in a current ranking of 919th.
Kyrgios took to social media to disclose the details of his drug test failure in Mallorca, where he tested positive for cocaine during a lower-tier tournament held in June. Acknowledging his error, he expressed full accountability, stating, “I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine.” Cocaine is prohibited as a performance-enhancing substance in competitive sports, with varying penalties based on the context of use.
The tennis player, known for his struggles with mental health, admitted that his challenges were exacerbated by alcohol and drug abuse. Reflecting on his career’s uncertain future due to prolonged injury setbacks, Kyrgios revealed feelings of helplessness and solitude but emphasized that these circumstances do not excuse his actions.
Despite receiving a wildcard entry for Wimbledon doubles alongside Alexander Bublik, Kyrgios suffered an early exit in the tournament’s initial round. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has taken charge of Kyrgios’s case, revealing that his drug test occurred on June 22 and confirmed the positive result on July 17, following his Wimbledon appearance. Subsequently, a mandatory provisional suspension was enforced on August 4, which Kyrgios has not contested.
