NICK KYRGIOS PROVISIONALLY SUSPENDED AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR COCAINE

Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from professional tennis following a positive test for cocaine. The Australian tennis player submitted a sample during the Mallorca Open on 22 June that tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. The International Tennis Integrity Agency imposed the provisional suspension on 4 August. Kyrgios has not appealed the suspension to date, according to the Agency.

Under the provisional suspension, Kyrgios cannot play in, coach at or attend Grand Slam tournaments or any events sanctioned by the men's and women's professional tennis tours. The 31-year-old has played only four singles matches this season, having dealt with knee and wrist injuries in recent years. His most recent competitive appearance came in men's doubles at Wimbledon, where he and partner Alexander Bublik lost in the first round. Cocaine is classified as a substance of abuse on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list, though reduced sanctions typically apply for positive tests recorded outside competition; Kyrgios' sample was submitted during a tournament in which he competed.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Kyrgios said he made "a huge mistake" and takes "full responsibility" for the positive test. He stated that injuries sustained over recent years have affected him "both mentally and physically" and that "coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined." Kyrgios said he would step away from social media and public life for 28 days to "focus on getting myself right" and apologised to his fans, family, sponsors and supporters.