Nick Kyrgios Accepts One-Month Ban After Positive Cocaine Test at Mallorca Open

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, during the Mallorca Open in Spain. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed the sanction, noting that the 31-year-old had been provisionally suspended since August 4 before the case was formally concluded.

Kyrgios explained to investigators that he consumed the substance socially during a night out at a nightclub in Magaluf in the early hours of June 20, just days before his tournament appearance. Following consultation with an independent World Anti-Doping Agency expert, regulators established the use occurred out-of-competition, allowing for a reduced penalty upon completion of a treatment programme.

The positive sample was submitted by Kyrgios during the grass-court Mallorca tournament in June. Investigators established that the Australian visited a Magaluf nightclub during the early hours of June 20. Although the singles draw at the tournament officially began on June 21, Kyrgios did not take to the court for his opening match until June 22, when he suffered a straight-sets defeat to compatriot Adam Walton.

Under World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines, the standard default suspension for a stimulant and substance of abuse like cocaine is three months. However, the ITIA confirmed that this penalty can be reduced to one month if the athlete enters and completes a recognized treatment programme. The player submitted an invoice verifying that he paid for a rehabilitation course starting on August 28, clearing the way for his suspension to expire.

Beyond the mandatory period away from the tour, Kyrgios will forfeit all prize money and ranking points earned at the Mallorca event. The financial penalty amounts to 6,570 euros, alongside the removal of any ranking credit from the tournament. The sanction compounds a deeply challenging phase for the former world number 13, who has struggled significantly with long-standing physical ailments.

Kyrgios has featured in only four ATP singles matches over the course of the season, and his world ranking has slid to 918th. Chronic knee issues and major reconstructive wrist surgery have severely limited his competitive appearances. His last formal match prior to the provisional suspension came in the men's doubles at Wimbledon, where he partnered with Alexander Bublik and suffered a first-round exit.

The latest disciplinary measure arrives against a backdrop of severe physical and psychological strain for the Australian competitor. Following the announcement of his provisional suspension, Kyrgios released a detailed statement addressing the toll that persistent injuries have taken on his career trajectory.

"My body hasn't been able to do what my mind expects it to do," Kyrgios wrote on Instagram, adding that "coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined." The athlete has previously spoken candidly about mental health battles, including severe struggles after a defeat at Wimbledon in 2019 that led to time spent in a London psychiatric facility.

Kyrgios has long remained a polarizing figure across professional tennis, frequently drawing substantial fines for on-court code violations, equipment damage, and disputes with match officials. In 2023, he admitted to assaulting a former girlfriend in an incident dating back two years, though he avoided a criminal conviction. His public commentary has also drawn criticism, including past social media activity associated with controversial figures.

In recent months, Kyrgios has also directed sharp criticism toward the sport's anti-doping governance. He publicly condemned the handling of high-profile cases involving top-tier players like Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, labeling certain disciplinary outcomes as "disgusting" and dismissing the existing tennis integrity framework as inadequate.

With the completion of his required treatment programme and the expiration of the reduced sanction period, Kyrgios is formally cleared to return to competitive tennis. The ITIA confirmed that his provisional suspension lifted, making him immediately eligible to enter tournaments.

Whether the 31-year-old will immediately return to the professional tour remains uncertain given his extensive injury history and rehabilitation requirements. Tennis correspondent Russell Fuller noted that while Kyrgios is free to play again with immediate effect, securing match fitness after years of limited appearances will pose a major hurdle for the former Wimbledon finalist.