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 only participated in 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, “I failed a drug test in Mallorca after cocaine was detected.” He acknowledged his error and accepted full accountability for his actions. Cocaine is prohibited as a performance-enhancing substance during competitions, with varying penalties applicable when used outside of events.
Having previously opened up about his mental health struggles worsened by alcohol and drug misuse, Kyrgios expressed the challenges he faced in accepting the potential conclusion of his tennis career due to prolonged injuries. Despite feeling overwhelmed and isolated at times, he emphasized that this did not justify his behavior.
Recently, Kyrgios received a wild card to compete in doubles at Wimbledon but was eliminated in the opening round alongside partner Alexander Bublik. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) will handle the case, confirming that Kyrgios’ sample was collected on June 22, and the positive result was verified on July 17 post his Wimbledon appearance. A provisional suspension was enforced on August 4, which Kyrgios has not contested according to ITIA.
