[REVISION HISTORY]

Nick Kyrgios completes one-month cocaine ban

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2026-09-04 08:11 UTC → 2026-09-04 13:23 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Professional tennis player Nick Kyrgios has completed a one-month suspension following a positive test for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. The sample was collected during an ATP 250 tournament in Mallorca, Spain, on June 22. Kyrgios informed investigators from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that the substance was used socially at a nightclub in Magaluf prior to his match in Mallorca. After consulting an independent expert from a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory, the ITIA accepted that the use occurred outside of competition. While a standard breach of this type typically carries a three-month suspension, Kyrgios’s penalty was reduced to one month after he committed to an approved treatment program. As a result of the violation, he will lose his prize money and ranking points from the Mallorca tournament. Kyrgios has accepted responsibility, describing the incident as a ‘huge mistake’ and stating, ‘I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it.’ He also expressed disappointment in himself and the example set for his followers. The situation drew scrutiny from peers. Stefanos Tsitsipas, following his first-round victory at the US Open, stated the suspension was ‘pretty much expected,’ claiming he had heard rumors regarding Kyrgios’s behavior on the tour prior to the official announcement. Other players, including Karen Khachanov, criticized Kyrgios due to his history of questioning the doping protocols of other athletes. Amid the backlash, MLB veteran Darryl Strawberry voiced support, calling for empathy for those ‘broken on the inside’. Following a provisional suspension that began on August 4, the 31-year-old has now been cleared to return to professional competition, with the ITIA confirming his ban concluded on September 3, 2026. The player, who has previously reached the Wimbledon final and held a career-high ranking of 13, has also been managing various physical injuries.

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