Kyrgios tests positive for cocaine, provisionally suspended by the ITIA

Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency after testing positive for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite.

The sample was collected on 22 June 2026 at the ATP 250 in Mallorca, where the Australian was playing the main draw on a wild card. A WADA-accredited laboratory confirmed the result on 17 July, the mandatory suspension took effect on 4 August, and the case became public today with the ITIA's announcement.

Cocaine appears on the WADA Prohibited List as both a stimulant and a substance of abuse, banned in competition only. While the suspension remains in effect, Kyrgios cannot play, coach or attend events organized or sanctioned by ITF/World Tennis, WTA, ATP, the Slams and national federations. He has the right to appeal the provisional measure but has not done so. The substances-of-abuse rule provides for three months of ineligibility if the athlete demonstrates that use occurred out of competition and unrelated to sport performance, reducible to one month by completing an approved treatment program. The case remains open, pending review by the independent tribunal.

In an Instagram post, the Australian admitted to the positive test.

“I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it. […] I'm sorry to my fans, 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 with myself."

Kyrgios added that the last two years of injuries had cost him enormously, physically and mentally, and that he had felt "helpless and alone."

The sporting context is a career that has long been stalled. A Wimbledon finalist in 2022 and world No. 13 in October 2016, Kyrgios is now ranked No. 919 on the ATP tour: four singles matches this season and, since that final, just two main-draw Grand Slam appearances because of injuries. His most recent appearance was a first-round doubles loss at Wimbledon alongside Bublik.

In 2024 Kyrgios was among the harshest critics of Jannik Sinner after his positive test for clostebol, arguing that the Italian should be banned.