Australian tennis player suspended after testing positive for cocaine

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Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine during an ATP tournament in Mallorca, Spain.

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The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that Kyrgios provided a sample on June 22 during the ATP 250 event.

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A World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory later confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, on July 17.

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The provisional suspension has been in place since August 4.

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The 31-year-old can appeal the decision, although the ITIA said he had not done so at the time of its announcement.

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Kyrgios acknowledged the positive test in a statement on Instagram on Wednesday, saying he had made a serious mistake and accepted responsibility for his actions.

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“I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine. I made a huge mistake, and I take full responsibility for it,” he wrote.

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The Australian also apologised to his fans, family, sponsors and young supporters.

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“Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself,” Kyrgios said.

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Kyrgios said the positive test came after several difficult years marked by injuries that had affected him both physically and mentally.

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“My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do, and coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined,” he said.

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However, he stressed that his struggles did not excuse his actions.

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“None of that excuses what I did,” Kyrgios added.

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Under the provisional suspension, Kyrgios is barred from playing in, coaching at or attending events sanctioned by the professional tennis tours, including Grand Slam tournaments, while his case is pending.

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Kyrgios has played only four singles matches this season as injuries have continued to limit his career. He last competed at Wimbledon in the men’s doubles alongside Alexander Bublik, with the pair losing in the first round.

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The former world number 13 reached the Wimbledon singles final in 2022, where he lost to Novak Djokovic. He has also won seven ATP Tour singles titles and the 2022 Australian Open men’s doubles title with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis.

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Kyrgios said he would now step away from social media and public life for 28 days to focus on his wellbeing.

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“I’m sorry. I’ll do the work and come back better,” he said.

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