Why positive cocaine test could mean end of Kyrgios' career

Nick Kyrgios's career may be nearing its end following a positive test for cocaine metabolites at the Mallorca Open in June. The Australian player, who had previously stated he had "zero chance" of playing into his thirties, tested positive at age 31 while attempting a comeback from knee and wrist injuries. Kyrgios acknowledged the positive test on social media as a "huge mistake" for which he takes full responsibility.

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zero chance

He revealed that recent injuries, which have limited him to only eight tournaments and two wins since the start of 2023, have taken a significant toll. "Coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined," he stated. The outcome of the investigation into his positive test could accelerate this end, as Kyrgios faces a potential ban of up to four years from an independent tribunal. He is currently under a mandatory provisional suspension, preventing him from competing.

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huge mistake

Kyrgios has had a notable career, including a stunning victory over then-world number one Rafael Nadal in 2014 and reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022. However, his career has also been marked by controversy and struggles with professionalism. Past incidents include a suspended ban in 2015 for remarks made during a match, an eight-week ban in 2016 for his behavior at the Shanghai Masters, and being defaulted from a match in the Italian Open in 2019 for throwing a chair. He also received a suspended 16-week ban for a pattern of verbal abuse towards officials.

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Coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined

Reflecting on his struggles, Kyrgios described 2019 as the "lowest point of my career," admitting to drinking, drug abuse, and alienating loved ones. He spoke about being bullied as a child and wearing a compression sleeve to hide self-harm scars, leading him to seek psychiatric help. The current cocaine test and potential ban add another layer of uncertainty to the future of the enigmatic tennis star.

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lowest point of my career