(August 19, 2026) Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has revealed that he tested positive for cocaine, describing the doping case as a “wake-up call” after a prolonged period in which injuries have disrupted his tennis career.
The 31-year-old Australian announced the failed drug test Wednesday, saying he takes full responsibility for what he called a serious mistake. Kyrgios said he had felt “helpless and alone” as persistent injuries limited his ability to compete at the highest level.
“I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine,” Kyrgios wrote on Instagram. “I made a huge mistake and take full responsibility for it.”
Kyrgios tested positive in June while competing at a lower-tier grass-court event in Spain. Cocaine is classified as a prohibited substance during competition under anti-doping rules, although sanctions can be less severe when authorities determine that the substance was used outside competition.
The positive test comes during one of the most difficult stretches of Kyrgios’ professional career. Since his breakthrough 2022 season, when he reached the Wimbledon final and lost to Novak Djokovic, he has played only 10 ATP Tour singles matches, winning two.
Once regarded as one of the sport’s most naturally gifted and unpredictable players, Kyrgios has subsequently fallen to No. 919 in the world rankings.
His career has long been marked by a combination of spectacular tennis and controversy. His fiery personality and disciplinary history have frequently made headlines, while injuries have increasingly kept him away from the court.
One of his more unusual recent appearances came last December in Dubai, when he defeated Aryna Sabalenka in an exhibition-style “Battle of the Sexes” match.
Now, the cocaine case represents another significant setback for Kyrgios. He faces the possibility of a suspension of up to four years, although the eventual sanction could be considerably shorter depending on the circumstances surrounding the violation.
For Kyrgios, however, the case has also prompted a period of reflection. His comments suggest that the physical and emotional toll of years of injuries contributed to a difficult period away from the game.
The former Wimbledon finalist now faces the consequences of the failed test as he attempts to rebuild his career and regain his place in professional tennis.
The official news release from the International Integrity Agency:
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has provisionally suspended Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.
31-year-old Kyrgios provided a sample during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca, Spain, on 22 June 2026. On 17 July 2026, a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.
Cocaine is a stimulant and substance of abuse on the WADA Prohibited List and is banned in competition under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. If taken out of competition, reduced sanctions apply for substances of abuse.
Because of the nature of the substance, a provisional suspension is mandatory and has been in place since 4 August 2026.
Kyrgios, who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 13 in October 2016, has the right to appeal the provisional suspension, but has not done so to date.
As with all Tennis Anti-Doping Programme cases, ITIA support is available to Kyrgios.
While suspended, Kyrgios is not allowed to play in, coach at, or attend any events organised or sanctioned by World Tennis, WTA, ATP, the Grand Slams, or any national association.
