Nick Kyrgios eligible to play again after cocaine suspension

Nick Kyrgios can already return to tournament tennis after serving a one-month suspension for a positive cocaine test, a penalty that has ended despite the seriousness of the violation.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency said the Australian had been suspended since Aug. 4 and became eligible again on Thursday. Kyrgios provided the positive sample on June 22 while competing in Mallorca. He told the agency that he had used cocaine privately on a night before taking part in the tournament.

Because the drug use occurred outside competition, the sanction remained lower than the three-month suspension normally provided for such a case under World Anti-Doping Agency rules. The penalty can be reduced if the player takes part in a treatment program. Kyrgios must still demonstrate that he completed it.

The former Wimbledon finalist must return the prize money and ranking points he earned in Mallorca. When the violation became public, he wrote on Instagram: "I made a big mistake and take full responsibility for it. I am sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Most of all, I am sorry to the children who follow me. I know what kind of example I am setting, and I am deeply disappointed in myself."

Kyrgios also said he would withdraw from social media and public life for 28 days, work on himself and come back better.

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I made a big mistake and take full responsibility for it. I am sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Most of all, I am sorry to the children who follow me. I know what kind of example I am setting, and I am deeply disappointed in myself.