Why tennis star Nick Kyrgios was suspended after positive cocaine test: ‘Made a huge mistake’

Why tennis star Nick Kyrgios was suspended after positive cocaine test: ‘Made a huge mistake’ originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Nick Kyrgios has had a checkered tennis career for a number of years, but a tumultuous turn since he reached the 2022 Wimbledon final continued with the announcement that he is now facing a suspension.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency is pursuing a suspension of Kyrgios following a positive drug test this summer, marking the latest hit to a career that has included controversies and injuries.

Kyrgios currently ranks 919th in the world, and he admitted in a social media post that his physical limitations have “taken a huge toll” on him mentally.

Here’s what you need to know about Kyrgios’ pending suspension.

MORE:How to watch Novak Djokovic documentary

Why was Nick Kyrgios suspended?

Kyrgios revealed Wednesday on Instagram that he tested positive for cocaine in Spain this summer.

“I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it,” Kyrgios said, attributing his cocaine use to the mental toll of injuries. “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.

Kyrgios called the positive test a “wake up call” and pledged to focus on “getting myself right” while taking a break from social media.

Nick Kyrgios announces that he tested positive for cocaine. pic.twitter.com/qTEpuh0Z34

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 19, 2026

As a result of the positive test, Kyrgios is facing a suspension that was implemented on Aug. 4. Here’s more to know about how long Kyrgios will be suspended.

MORE:Complete history, all-time results for Laver Cup

How long is Nick Kyrgios suspended for?

Kyrgios is facing up to a four-year suspension, but precedent indicates he can expect a much lighter ban, potentially in the range of one year.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency is pursuing the case, ESPN reported, after Kyrgios’ positive test was confirmed in mid-July and a suspension was first implemented on Aug. 4. No final decision on the length of Kyrgios’ suspension has been determined, but he has not appealed the ban that was put in place earlier in August.

Kyrgios is only 31, but injuries have severely disrupted his career in recent years; a suspension of any extended length would be another blow to his chances of returning to prominence.

Nick Kyrgios cocaine test

Kyrgios said he tested positive for cocaine while playing an event in Mallorca, Spain, in June. 

The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed that Kyrgios tested positive on June 22, and the sample was confirmed as positive on July 17.

In his announcement Wednesday, Kyrgios made no attempt to deny that he used cocaine, instead attributing it to his struggles to cope with the way injuries have taken a toll on his career.

Nick Kyrgios tennis record

Kyrgios has a career singles record of 206-119 and has been ranked as high as No. 13 in the world.

The Australian firebrand has struggled mightily in recent years, however. Kyrgios went just 1-4 in 2025, including an opening round loss in the Australian Open and no participation in any of the other three grand slams on the calendar. He is 1-3 in 2026.

Kyrgios last won an event in 2022 but is just 2-8 since.