Australia's Nick Kyrgios accepts one-month ban for 'social' cocaine use

Nick Kyrgios has accepted a one-month anti-doping suspension after testing positive for cocaine at an ATP Tour event in Mallorca, Spain, in June, the International Tennis Integrity Agency said.

The Australian player had been provisionally suspended since Aug. 4. The ITIA said it reduced the standard three-month suspension under World Anti-Doping Agency rules after Kyrgios entered an approved treatment programme.

In an interview with investigators, Kyrgios said the cocaine use had “occurred socially” during a night out before he was due to play in Mallorca. The ITIA consulted an independent scientific expert at a WADA-accredited laboratory, who found that his explanation matched the level of cocaine detected in his sample.

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occurred socially

The agency therefore accepted that the use occurred outside competition. Kyrgios’s suspension ends Thursday, provided he completes the treatment programme. He must also forfeit the prize money and ranking points he earned at the Mallorca event.

Kyrgios apologised on social media last month, calling the failed test a “huge mistake” and saying he took full responsibility. Cocaine remains prohibited during competition and carries a provisional suspension.

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huge mistake