Nick Kyrgios is eligible to return to professional tennis after serving a one-month ban for a positive cocaine test. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) provisionally suspended the Australian player on August 4, after a sample submitted during the Mallorca Open in June tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite.
Maya Sharma, a representative for the ITIA, stated that Kyrgios informed investigators he had used cocaine at a nightclub in Magaluf in the early hours of June 20. He played his first-round match at the Mallorca tournament two days later, losing to compatriot Adam Walton. The ITIA accepted that the use occurred outside of competition, consulting with an independent expert.
Kyrgios could have faced a maximum ban of three months, but this was reduced to one month after he entered a treatment program. His suspension officially ended on September 3. As a result of the positive test, Kyrgios forfeited his prize money and ranking points from the Mallorca event. He has fallen to world number 918.
Following the announcement of his positive test, Kyrgios stated his intention to step away from social media and public life for 28 days to focus on his recovery. The former world number 13 has competed in only four singles matches this season, having been hampered by knee and wrist injuries in recent years. His last appearance was in the men's doubles at Wimbledon, where he and partner Alexander Bublik were eliminated in the first round.
Kyrgios has publicly discussed the significant toll his injuries have taken, both mentally and physically, and has acknowledged the difficulty of coming to terms with the potential end of his career. He has stated that while these struggles do not excuse his actions, they have contributed to his recent challenges.
Cocaine is classified as a stimulant and a substance of abuse on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list.
Kyrgios has previously been a controversial figure in the sport, facing criticism and substantial fines for actions such as smashing racquets, audible obscenities, and arguing with umpires. In 2023, he admitted to assaulting a former girlfriend, for which he avoided a criminal conviction. He has also faced scrutiny for past comments and for sharing content from controversial figures, though he has since sought to distance himself from such associations. He has also been critical of the handling of anti-doping cases involving other top players.
Kyrgios's career highlights include winning seven ATP Tour singles titles and reaching the Wimbledon singles final in 2022. He also won the 2022 Australian Open men's doubles title with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis. Kyrgios has also been open about his struggles with mental health, previously revealing he had contemplated suicide and sought psychiatric help in 2019.