Nick Kyrgios Provisionally Suspended After Positive Cocaine Test

Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine. The Australian submitted a sample during the Mallorca Open on June 22 that was later found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.

A World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) laboratory confirmed the presence of the banned stimulant on July 17. Kyrgios, 31, posted on Instagram that he made a huge mistake and takes full responsibility for it. He apologized to his fans, family, sponsors, and children who follow him, acknowledging the example it sets. Under the suspension, Kyrgios cannot play, coach at, or attend Grand Slams or any events sanctioned by the men's and women's tennis tours pending a tribunal outcome.

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. Kyrgios has the right to appeal the provisional suspension but has not done so to date. He stated that the last few years of injuries have taken a huge toll on him, both mentally and physically.

Kyrgios said his body hasn't been able to do what my mind expects it to do, and coming to terms with being near the end of his career has been harder than he imagined. He played just four singles matches this season due to knee and wrist injuries. Kyrgios last played in men's doubles at Wimbledon, where he and partner Alexander Bublik lost in the first round.

He lost his singles match at the Mallorca Open to fellow Australian Adam Walton. Kyrgios announced he would be stepping away from social media and public life for 28 days to focus on getting myself right. His career-high singles ranking was 13 in 2016; he is currently ranked 919th.