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· collected 2026-08-19 · by Reuters
Nick Kyrgios, a 31-year-old former Wimbledon finalist, has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine at an ATP event in Mallorca in June. The International Tennis Integrity Agency announced the suspension on Wednesday, following a World Anti-Doping Agency laboratory confirmation of the presence of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, on July 17. Kyrgios has taken full responsibility for his actions and apologized to fans, family, sponsors, and children who follow him, stating that he's struggling with the mental toll of recent injuries and the twilight of his career. He will be unable to compete or attend any tennis events while suspended, and has not appealed the decision.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-19,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios, 31, has been provisionally suspended from competing and coaching in tennis after testing positive for cocaine. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced the suspension on August 4, saying that Kyrgios' sample was taken on June 22 at a lower-level tournament in Mallorca, and the positive test was confirmed on July 17. Kyrgios has apologized for his mistake, stating that he made a "huge error" and takes full responsibility for it. He has also announced that he will step away from social media and public life for 28 days to focus on his well-being.
The suspension means that Kyrgios cannot play or coach in any events sanctioned by the men's and women's tennis tours, including Grand Slam tournaments, until the outcome of a tribunal. The ITIA has said that Kyrgios could appeal against the provisional suspension, but he has not done so to date.
Kyrgios' positive test for cocaine comes after he struggled with mental health issues in the past, including contemplating suicide and spending time in a psychiatric hospital in London after losing at Wimbledon in 2019. He has also spoken about the toll that injuries have taken on him, both mentally and physically, and how they have affected his career.
Kyrgios' ranking has dropped to 919th since he was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the 2022 singles final, and he has played just four singles matches this season due to knee and wrist injuries.
Written for “Nick Kyrgios Cocaine Test” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 1210 · logged 2026-08-24
Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios was provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine, with the volatile Australian owning up to his “huge mistake” in a public apology.
asserted
Australian → suspend → apology
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Wednesday announced the suspension of the 31-year-old following a positive test for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, from a sample taken during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June.
asserted
Agency → announce → June
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Kyrgios, who reached a career-high rank of 13, has been provisionally suspended since August 4 after a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) laboratory confirmed the presence of the banned stimulant on July 17.
asserted
laboratory → collapse → July
“I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine.
asserted
I → fail → cocaine
I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it,” Kyrgios said on Instagram.
asserted
Kyrgios → make → Instagram
“I’m sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me.
asserted
I → ’m → me
Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me.
asserted
who → ’m → me
I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself.”
asserted
I → know → myself
Cocaine is classified as a stimulant and substance of abuse on the WADA Prohibited List and is banned in competition under tennis anti-doping rules.
asserted
Cocaine → classify → rules
Kyrgios said he made no excuses but painted a picture of a player struggling with the twilight of his career, citing the mental toll of recent injuries.
“I do want to give some context about where I’ve been.
asserted
I → say → context
The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both physically and mentally,” he added.
asserted
he → take → me
“My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do and coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined.
asserted
I → do → career
“I’ve always said I didn’t choose tennis – tennis chose me.
asserted
tennis → say → me
But letting go of something that has been my whole life
asserted
that → go → something
is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face.
asserted
I → have → things
At times I’ve felt helpless and alone.
asserted
I → feel → times
”
While suspended, Kyrgios cannot play in, coach at or attend any events organised by World Tennis, WTA, ATP, the Grand Slams or any national association.
asserted
Kyrgios → suspend → Tennis
The Australian has not appealed the provisional suspension and said he would step away from social media and public life for 28 days to “focus on getting myself right”.
asserted
myself → appeal → days
“I’m sorry.
asserted
I → ’m → ?
I’ll do the work and come back better,” he concluded.
asserted
he → do → work
