Nick Kyrgios breaks Silence after Cocaine Test and Tennis Suspension

Nick Kyrgios has broken his silence after being provisionally suspended from tennis for testing positive for cocaine during the Mallorca Open in June.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed on Wednesday that Kyrgios tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, from a sample collected on June 22. A WADA-accredited laboratory confirmed the result on July 17, while the Australian’s provisional suspension began on August 4.

Kyrgios has now admitted the violation and said he takes full responsibility.

“I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it.”

In a lengthy statement shared on Instagram, the 31-year-old apologised to his fans, family, sponsors and the young people who look up to him.

“Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself.”

Kyrgios also spoke about the difficult period that preceded the failed test. Persistent injuries have kept him away from tennis for long stretches, and he said the physical and mental toll has been difficult to handle.

“The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both physically and mentally.”

The Australian admitted that accepting the possibility of his playing career coming to an end has been particularly difficult.

“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.”

Kyrgios also acknowledged that none of those struggles justified what happened.

“None of that excuses what I did.”

He has decided not to appeal the provisional suspension and says he will step away from social media and public life for 28 days to focus on himself and his recovery.

The suspension means Kyrgios is currently barred from participating in professional tennis events while the case progresses.

For a player whose career has already been interrupted by serious injuries, this latest setback comes at a particularly difficult moment.

Kyrgios ended his statement with a promise:

“I’m sorry. I’ll do the work and come back better.”