Former Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios made a public statement on Wednesday, admitting to a positive cocaine test and receiving a temporary ban from tennis. The 31-year-old Australian, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2022 singles final, has faced setbacks with injuries and currently holds the 919th rank after participating in just two Grand Slam tournaments following the defeat. Kyrgios took to social media to disclose the incident, acknowledging his error by confessing, “I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca for cocaine during a lower-level tournament in June. I acknowledge my significant mistake and accept full responsibility for it.”
Competitive regulations prohibit cocaine usage as a doping violation, with varying consequences depending on the context of its use. Kyrgios, known for his mental health struggles aggravated by substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs, expressed challenges in coping with the potential conclusion of his tennis career amid a two-year injury ordeal. Despite feeling desolate and overwhelmed at times, he emphasized that his personal struggles do not excuse his actions.
Recently, Kyrgios received a wildcard entry for the Wimbledon doubles tournament, where he and partner Alexander Bublik exited in the initial round. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) will oversee the case, revealing that Kyrgios’ sample was obtained on June 22 and the positive test confirmed post his Wimbledon appearance. A mandatory provisional suspension was enforced on August 4, unchallenged by Kyrgios as stated by the ITIA.