Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios, a former Wimbledon finalist, disclosed on Wednesday that he had tested positive for cocaine, leading to his provisional suspension from the sport.
The 31-year-old athlete, who reached the 2022 Wimbledon singles final but has faced injury setbacks, currently holds a ranking of 919th after only participating in two Grand Slam tournaments since the championship match.
Kyrgios took to social media to share the details of his situation, admitting, “I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine,” referencing an incident at a lower-tier tournament in June. He expressed regret, stating, “I made a huge mistake and take full responsibility for it.”
Cocaine is prohibited as a doping substance during competitive events, with varying levels of sanctions applicable when detected outside of competitions.
The tennis player has previously discussed his challenges with mental health, worsened by alcohol and drug use, and acknowledged the difficulties of accepting the possible conclusion of his career following two years of physical setbacks.
“At times I’ve felt helpless and alone. None of that excuses what I did,” Kyrgios emphasized.
Recently, Kyrgios received a wild card to compete in the Wimbledon doubles tournament alongside partner Alexander Bublik, though they were eliminated in the opening round.
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 participation.
An interim suspension was imposed on August 4 as per the regulations, and Kyrgios has not contested this decision, as stated by the ITIA.