Nick Kyrgios suspended after positive cocaine test
By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Tennis superstar Nick Kyrgios received a provisional suspension after testing positive for benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite of cocaine, the International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed on Aug. 20, 2026.
According to the ITIA, Kyrgios provided a urine sample during the ATP 250 Mallorca Championships in Spain on June 22, 2026.
A month later, a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory announced the positive result, which Kyrgios chose not to appeal.
“Cocaine is a stimulant and substance of abuse on the WADA prohibited list and is banned in competition under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme,” the ITIA said in a statement.
Before receiving the suspension, Kyrgios last played as a wild card in the men’s doubles event at Wimbledon, losing in the opening round alongside partner Alexander Bublik.
Kyrgios then publicly addressed the issue, admitted he was wrong, and apologized to his fans and family via a social media story on his official Instagram account.
“I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it,” Kyrgios posted.
“I’m sorry to my fans and my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself.”
Kyrgios first took professional tennis by storm in 2014, upsetting former World No. 1 Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon to reach the quarterfinals.
His unorthodox approach and groundstroke power, paired with swagger and confidence, made him one of the biggest tennis stars from 2014 to 2019.
Before entering a turbulent phase amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyrgios captured seven ATP Tour singles titles, four doubles titles, and reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 13.
Aside from Kyrgios, Dan Evans, Richard Gasquet, Martina Hingis, Mats Wilander, and Karel Novacek were among the tennis stars who were penalized for positive cocaine tests.
“I’m sorry. I’ll do the work and come back better,” Kyrgios added.
“I’ve always said I didn’t choose tennis- tennis chose me. But letting go of something that has been my whole life is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face.”
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