Nick Kyrgios has accepted and completed a reduced one-month suspension following a positive test for cocaine at an ATP Tour event in Mallorca. The Australian had been provisionally suspended since 4 August and entered into a treatment programme approved by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) to reduce the standard three-month ban under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.
Kyrgios provided a sample at the ATP 250 tournament in Mallorca on 22 June, which tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. According to BBC Sport, his one-month ban ended on Thursday, 3 September, making him eligible to return to competitive tennis immediately.
The 31-year-old explained to ITIA investigators that his use of cocaine had
occurred sociallyduring a night out before he was scheduled to compete in Mallorca. The ITIA consulted an independent scientific expert at a WADA-accredited laboratory, who confirmed that this explanation was consistent with the level of cocaine detected in his sample.
As a result, the ITIA accepted that Kyrgios' use of cocaine was outside of competition,the agency stated in its ruling. Cocaine is prohibited only during competition, which allowed for the possibility of a reduced sanction when use occurs outside competitive windows.
Prize money and ranking points from the Mallorca event have been forfeited as part of the sanction. According to BBC reporting, Kyrgios has fallen to No. 918 in the world rankings following the suspension and forfeiture of tournament results.
Kyrgios issued a public apology last month on social media, acknowledging the severity of his actions.
I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it,he wrote on Instagram.
I'm sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Above all, I'm sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I'm deeply disappointed in myself.
The Australian also committed to stepping back from public life during his suspension. According to BBC Sport, Kyrgios said he would spend the next 28 days away from social media and public engagement to
focus on getting myself right.
His first-round loss to fellow Australian Adam Walton in Mallorca marked his last competitive singles match and one of only four singles matches he has played this season. The suspension period has effectively removed him from professional competition for the latter half of 2026.
Criticism and comparisons to other players
Sky Sports Tennis commentator Annabel Croft described Kyrgios as a
tormented soulwho now faces the same scrutiny he has previously directed at other players caught in doping controversies.
He has always struck me as a tormented soul out there, and he is never far from creating headlines,Croft said.
He seems to do that effortlessly.
Croft highlighted the irony of Kyrgios's situation, noting that
there is a lot of criticism being thrown at him right now because he was the one firing arrows at other players who had been banned for a certain amount of time. It is now being directed right back at him.Kyrgios had been vocal in his criticism when Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek faced their own high-profile doping cases.
Finding balance off the court
Former world No. 40 Ryan Harrison expressed disappointment at Kyrgios's situation while offering perspective on the challenges athletes face during periods away from competition.
It is disappointing,Harrison said.
Kyrgios has been such an electric player for so long.
Harrison reflected on Kyrgios's standing in professional tennis, noting that
he is one of those guys. You talk about the 'Big Four', and he was the next in line that the casual fan and observer would talk about because of the way he played, his talent, fearlessness and energy.
The former player acknowledged that Kyrgios's on-court persona has sometimes overshadowed his abilities.
The persona would come out sometimes in the way he handled pressure. Sometimes it wasn't always positive.
Harrison suggested that the suspension period could provide Kyrgios with an opportunity to reassess his lifestyle and responsibilities.
When you are an athlete and training on a regular basis, your life is very structured and regimented,he explained.
When you stop playing and you are not doing that on a week-to-week basis, some players can find it difficult to strike a balance and know, 'When can I go out?'
I think Nick needs to find that balance and, while it is disappointing, hopefully for his sake, as he takes time away, he can find happiness off the court and be the best he can be.
Support and next steps
The ITIA has indicated that support is available to Kyrgios during his recovery period. With his suspension now complete as of 3 September, the Australian is free to return to professional tennis and will be eligible to compete in upcoming tournaments on the ATP Tour.
The US Open begins on 30 August and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with the Laver Cup scheduled for 25-27 September at The O2 in London, also shown on Sky Sports.
