Why Nick Kyrgios saw reduced ban with Australian free to make tennis return after positive cocaine test in Mallorca
By Leon Imber
Updated 04/09/2026 at 09:02 GMT+1
Nick Kyrgios, the former world No. 13, is free to return to tennis after he accepted a one-month ban from the sport for a positive cocaine test returned at the Mallorca Championships in June. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed the ruling on Friday.
Nick Kyrgios
Image credit: Getty Images
Kyrgios was provisionally suspended by the organisation on August 4, but relayed during an interview with ITIA investigators that his usage of cocaine "occurred socially during a night out before he was due to play in Mallorca".
In the ITIA's written reasons, it stated that Kyrgios attended a party on June 19, and then travelled to a Magaluf nightclub, where the cocaine usage occurred, before returning to his hotel at 03:00 on the morning of June 20.
The in-competition window for the Mallorca event began at 11:59pm on June 20, with the first match of the main draw commencing the following day.
Positive tests from out-of-competition usage carry a maximum ban of three months, but Kyrgios' sanction was reduced further, due to him committing to a treatment program approved by the ITIA.
As a result, Kyrgios' ban ended at 23:59 on September 3 - subject to the completion of the treatment program.
Should Kyrgios' usage of cocaine have been found to have been in-competition, he could have faced a ban of up to four years.
Kyrgios was beaten by compatriot Adam Walton in the first round of the event, and will lose his prize money of €6,570 (£5,644).
The ITIA announced Kyrgios' provisional suspension from tennis activity on August 19, and the 2022 Australian Open doubles champion released his own statement on Instagram in which he said he took "full responsibility" for the positive test.
"I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it. I'm sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me," Kyrgios posted on Instagram.
"Above all, I'm sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and l'm deeply disappointed in myself.
"I'm not going to make excuses, but I do want to give some context about where l've been. The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both physically and mentally.
"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. I've always said I didn't choose tennis - tennis chose me.
"But letting go of something that has been my whole life is one of the hardest things I've ever had to face. At times, l've felt helpless and alone.
"None of that excuses what I did. However, the good news is that this has given me a wake-up call.
"For the next 28 days, I'll be stepping away from social media and public life while I focus on getting myself right. I'd ask that people respect my privacy during that time, and most importantly the privacy of my family. I'm sorry. I'll do the work and come back better."
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement