Nick Kyrgios provisionally suspended after positive cocaine test at Mallorca tournament

Wednesday 19 August 2026 - 08:57

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended following a positive doping test for cocaine during the ATP 250 tournament in Mallorca in June. The 31-year-old player has acknowledged the facts and apologized, mentioning the difficulties related to his injuries and the impending end of his career.

A positive test conducted during the tournament

Nick Kyrgios's doping case has taken a new turn. The Australian has been provisionally suspended after the detection of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in a sample taken on June 22, 2026, during the ATP 250 in Mallorca.

The analysis was conducted by a laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and the positive result was confirmed on July 17. Cocaine is among the substances banned in competition under the tennis anti-doping program.

The provisional suspension has been in effect since August 4. Nick Kyrgios has the right to appeal this decision, but he had not yet filed an appeal at the time of the announcement.

Kyrgios admits to a "big mistake"

The Australian player himself made the information public on social media. He acknowledged failing the test and took responsibility.

Kyrgios also explained that the last few years have been particularly difficult due to recurring physical problems. Injuries have significantly limited his presence on the courts and complicated his return to the highest level.

The former Wimbledon finalist also mentioned the psychological difficulty of seeing his career gradually come to an end. While providing this context, he acknowledged that it did not justify his cocaine use.

A limited 2026 season

This case comes at a time when Kyrgios has only played four official matches in 2026, with just one victory. His last match took place in Mallorca, where he lost to his compatriot Adam Walton.

The player, who reached 13th in the world in 2016, now faces new uncertainty regarding the future of his career.

His suspension notably prohibits him from participating in competitions organized or sanctioned by tennis authorities during his period of ineligibility.

An uncertain sporting future

At 31, Nick Kyrgios is facing a double challenge: determining the next steps in the doping procedure and deciding whether he wants to continue a career already heavily disrupted by injuries.

The Australian had made a mark in tennis with his talent, spectacular style, and often controversial personality. A finalist at Wimbledon in 2022, he has since experienced long periods of absence.

The procedure initiated by the anti-doping authorities will now need to determine the definitive sporting consequences of this positive test. The current suspension being provisional, the case is not yet concluded.