Nick Kyrgios receives provisional tennis ban after testing positive for cocaine in Mallorca
The International Tennis Integrity Agency has provisionally suspended Nick Kyrgios after a June sample from an ATP event in Mallorca returned positive for benzoylecgonine.
Positive test in Mallorca
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on 19 August 2026 that Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended after failing a doping test. Kyrgios provided a sample on 22 June 2026 while participating at the ATP 250 tournament in Mallorca, Spain. On 17 July 2026, a laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. Cocaine is classified as a stimulant and a substance of abuse under the WADA Prohibited List, which bans the substance in competition. Under the regulations of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, substances of abuse carry specific reduced sanctions if used out of competition, but an initial provisional suspension remains mandatory.
Terms of the provisional suspension
The provisional suspension entered into force on 4 August 2026. During the period of the ban, Kyrgios is prohibited from competing, training, or attending any tennis tournament organized or recognized by the ATP, the WTA, Grand Slam events, World Tennis, or any national federation. The 31-year-old retains the right to challenge the provisional suspension before an independent tribunal. According to the ITIA, Kyrgios has not yet lodged an appeal against the measure. The case will proceed to an assessment by a tribunal to determine the final sanction and duration of his ineligibility.
- Kyrgios provides a doping control sample during the ATP 250 tournament in Mallorca.
- A WADA-accredited laboratory confirms the presence of benzoylecgonine.
- A provisional suspension officially takes effect under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.
- The ITIA publishes the provisional ban and Kyrgios posts a statement of apology.
Statement and physical difficulties
Kyrgios addressed the test result on his Instagram account before the integrity body published its formal notification. In his statement, he admitted his actions and offered an apology to his supporters, family, and commercial partners.
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.
The Australian stated that he would not make excuses for the test result, though he cited the severe mental and physical strain caused by recurring injuries. Since reaching the 2022 Wimbledon singles final, where he was defeated by Novak Djokovic, Kyrgios has undergone treatment for persistent knee and wrist ailments. He noted that coming to terms with approaching the end of his professional career proved harder than anticipated, leaving him feeling hopeless and alone. Kyrgios announced that he will take a 28-day break from social media to focus on his recovery.
Season record and past controversies
The suspension follows a season during which Kyrgios appeared in only four competitive singles matches. His first-round loss against fellow Australian player Adam Walton in Mallorca marked his last competitive singles match. Last month, he competed in the men's doubles draw at Wimbledon with partner Alexander Bublik after receiving a wild card, suffering a first-round elimination. The protracted period of physical setbacks dropped his ATP singles ranking to 919th, down from a career-best position of 13th recorded in October 2016. Kyrgios had previously faced multiple fines on tour for unsportsmanlike conduct, including swearing, breaking rackets, and verbal abuse toward umpires, and he pleaded guilty in a Canberra court in 2023 to pushing a former girlfriend. He was also publicly outspoken regarding recent anti-doping cases, describing previous positive tests by players such as Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek as unacceptable for the sport.
