At 31, the Australian tennis star admitted to a 'huge mistake' after the Mallorca Open result, complicating his injury comeback.
Australian tennis sensation Nick Kyrgios, 31, recently received a positive test result for a metabolite of cocaine during June's Mallorca Open. The revelation has sent shockwaves through the tennis world and casts a dark shadow over his future in the sport.
Kyrgios swiftly addressed the situation on social media, acknowledging a "huge mistake" for which he takes "full responsibility." He elaborated that the physical and emotional toll of recent injuries, which have limited him to just eight tournaments and two match wins since early 2023, has been immense.
"Coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined," Kyrgios stated, hinting at personal struggles. This positive cocaine test now significantly accelerates that potential end, as he faces a mandatory provisional suspension and an independent tribunal, according to reporting by BBC Sport - Tennis.
The Path to a Potential Four-Year Ban
The positive test means Kyrgios faces a ban of up to four years once an independent tribunal convenes to hear his case. During this period, he will be subject to a mandatory provisional suspension, preventing him from competing. This development could prematurely conclude the career of a player who, at 31, had already expressed doubts about playing into his thirties, once famously stating there was "zero chance" he would.
Kyrgios is known for his electrifying, flamboyant, and athletic shot-making with unique flair and touch. However, his career has also been marred by a series of high-profile disciplinary issues, indicating a long-standing struggle to maintain the strict professionalism and abstinence required at the sport's highest echelons.
A History of Controversies and Personal Battles
His journey has been punctuated by numerous controversies. In 2015, he received a suspended 28-day ban for making offensive remarks about Stan Wawrinka's girlfriend during a match in Montreal. A year later, his behavior at the Shanghai Masters, including a notable "lack of best effort," resulted in an eight-week ban, later reduced to three weeks after he agreed to consult a sports psychologist.
The year 2019 marked a nadir, with Kyrgios being defaulted from a match at the Italian Open for hurling a chair onto the court. He was later fined $113,000 for verbally abusing umpire Fergus Murphy in Cincinnati. The ATP subsequently issued a suspended 16-week ban, citing a "pattern of behavior related to his verbal abuse of officials and/or spectators" over the preceding 12 months.
During Netflix's "Break Point" documentary series, Kyrgios reflected on 2019 as the "lowest point of my career," confessing, "I was drinking, abusing drugs. I lost my relationship with my family, pushed all my close friends away." He spoke of childhood bullying, covering self-harming scars with a compression sleeve, and seeking help in a psychiatric hospital in London to "figure out my problems."
Further personal revelations include being forced out of a pub by his agent before a Wimbledon match and admitting to Louis Theroux in 2024 that he sometimes consumed "20 to 30 drinks" the night before playing.
Unconventional Approach to Tennis and Other Incidents
Kyrgios has often confessed to an unconventional approach to his profession, admitting he struggles to "dedicate" his life fully to tennis. He once famously remarked, "I don't eat well. I don't train just for tennis, I train just for a general happy living... I play a bit of tennis on the side," highlighting his unique perspective on the sport. His love for basketball is well-documented, even playing for an hour before defeating David Ferrer in the 2017 Cincinnati Masters semi-finals.
Beyond the court, Kyrgios has faced other public scrutiny. In 2023, he admitted to assaulting his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari by pushing her on a pavement during an argument in Canberra. The magistrate, acknowledging it as "a single act of stupidity or frustration," spared him a criminal record. Two years prior, he publicly distanced himself from controversial influencer Andrew Tate, telling the BBC he had "deleted posts, unfollowed him and gone to all lengths to distance" himself from Tate.
Doubts About Anti-Doping and His Future
Currently ranked world number 919, Kyrgios has announced he will step away from public life for the next 28 days to "do the work and come back better." However, the legal process surrounding his positive cocaine test is expected to take many months, with his own critical views on tennis' anti-doping system complicating matters.
Kyrgios has openly described the system as "awful," believing that both Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek received "overly lenient bans" in their recent high-profile doping cases. After Sinner accepted a three-month ban for testing positive for clostebol, Kyrgios wrote, "Sad day for tennis. Fairness in tennis does not exist." If Kyrgios hopes to continue his tennis career into his thirties, the outcome of this very process, which he has so often criticized, will be paramount.
Frequently Asked Questions
What substance did Nick Kyrgios test positive for?
Nick Kyrgios tested positive for a metabolite of cocaine at the Mallorca Open in June.
What are the potential consequences for Nick Kyrgios after the positive test?
Kyrgios faces a mandatory provisional suspension and could be banned for up to four years once an independent tribunal reviews his case. This could effectively end his professional tennis career.
How has Nick Kyrgios reacted to the positive cocaine test?
On social media, Nick Kyrgios called it a "huge mistake" and accepted full responsibility. He also cited the heavy toll of recent injuries and his struggle to accept the nearing end of his career.
What is Nick Kyrgios's current tennis ranking and playing status?
Nick Kyrgios is currently ranked world number 919. He will be provisionally suspended from playing during the investigation and has stated he will step away from public life for 28 days.
Has Nick Kyrgios had previous disciplinary issues in his career?
Yes, Kyrgios has a history of disciplinary problems, including bans for lewd remarks, lack of effort, hurling a chair, verbal abuse of officials, and admitting to previous drug and alcohol abuse in 2019.