Kyrgios accepts reduced one-month ban after cocaine test
The former Wimbledon finalist will forfeit prize money and ranking points from the Mallorca event after entering an approved treatment programme.
Nick Kyrgios has accepted a reduced one-month suspension from the International Tennis Integrity Association (ITIA) after testing positive for cocaine at an ATP Tour event in Mallorca. The Australian, who had been provisionally suspended since 4 August, entered an approved treatment programme to reduce the default three-month penalty under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.
The positive test was for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, detected in a sample taken in June. Kyrgios stated the use occurred socially outside of competition, a claim supported by an independent scientific expert at a WADA-accredited laboratory. The expert confirmed that the level of cocaine found in the sample was consistent with the player's explanation that the use took place during a night out before he was due to play in Mallorca.
As a result, the ITIA accepted that the use of cocaine was outside of competition, allowing for the reduced sanction. The suspension is set to end on Thursday, subject to the completion of the treatment programme. Kyrgios will forfeit all prize money and ranking points earned from the Mallorca event.
The former Wimbledon finalist had been unable to play or attend tournaments during his provisional suspension. His first-round loss to fellow Australian Adam Walton in Mallorca was his last competitive singles outing and one of only four singles matches he has played this season.
Kyrgios previously apologised on social media, describing the incident as a "huge mistake" for which he took full responsibility. He expressed regret to his fans, family, and sponsors, noting the example it set for young followers.
Sky Sports Tennis' Annabel Croft and former world No 40 Ryan Harrison have commented on the situation, noting the irony of Kyrgios facing criticism similar to that directed at Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek in previous doping cases. Harrison suggested that Kyrgios must strike the right balance between his responsibilities on the court and his downtime off it.
