Kyrgios Gets 1-Month Ban for Cocaine Positive, Cleared to Return
On.cc · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Australian tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios has completed a reduced one-month suspension after testing positive for cocaine during the Mallorca Open in June 2026. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) imposed the lenient sanction after determining the cocaine use occurred outside competition hours and after Kyrgios agreed to enter a treatment programme . The 31-year-old, once ranked as high as world number 13, saw his ranking tumble to 918 and lost €6,570 in prize money as a result of the violation . He has been cleared to resume his career following the September 3 completion of his ban .
Key Points
- Kyrgios tested positive at the Mallorca Open in June 2026, admitting he consumed cocaine at a nightclub two days before his first-round match
- The ITIA accepted his out-of-competition use explanation following consultation with World Anti-Doping Agency-certified laboratory experts
- Standard WADA rules mandate a 3-month ban, but reduced the penalty to 1 month because Kyrgios agreed to join a treatment programme
- His ranking has fallen sharply from a career-high of 13 to 918, hampered by knee and wrist injuries that limited him to just four matches this year
- Kyrgios apologised on Instagram to fans, family, sponsors, and young followers, expressing deep disappointment in his actions
Why It Matters
The case highlights how anti-doping authorities can show flexibility when athletes demonstrate genuine effort to address substance abuse issues . The out-of-competition finding and commitment to treatment allowed Kyrgios to resume his troubled career after serving only a minimal ban.
The case highlights how anti-doping authorities can show flexibility when athletes demonstrate genuine effort to address substance abuse issues . The out-of-competition finding and commitment to treatment allowed Kyrgios to resume his troubled career after serving only a minimal ban.